The sculpture depicts a frog in a crouched position. The frog is crafted from a dark material, possibly bronze or a similar metal, which gives it a deep brown, almost black appearance with some glossy surfaces. There are detailed textures across its back, mimicking the bumpy skin of a real frog. There are also some subtle touches of gold glinting across its forehead and around its eyes. This sculpture resembles a life-sized representation of a frog. Its features such as the legs, eyes, and textured skin give it a naturalistic presence.
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The sculpture depicts a frog in a crouched position. The frog is crafted from a dark material, possibly bronze or a similar metal, which gives it a deep brown, almost black appearance with some glossy surfaces. There are detailed textures across its back, mimicking the bumpy skin of a real frog. There are also some subtle touches of gold glinting across its forehead and around its eyes. This sculpture resembles a life-sized representation of a frog. Its features such as the legs, eyes, and textured skin give it a naturalistic presence.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Large Toad

Paduan 16th Century

Date
16th century
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall: 6.8 x 12.8 x 10.8 cm (2 11/16 x 5 1/16 x 4 1/4 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Small Bronze
Accession number
1957.14.91
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Paduan
  • European Small Bronzes before 1900
  • amphibian
  • animal
  • Toad
Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

NGA object ID 43811. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.