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The sculpture depicts a relief carving of a male figure standing in an elegant pose, holding a staff entwined with a serpent. The figure is shown in profile, facing left, with a defined muscular form. The staff, known as a caduceus, is held in the left hand resting on the ground. The sculpture is crafted from a material that appears weathered and earthy brown in color, suggesting it might be made of bronze or a similar metal that has aged over time. This small, oval-shaped relief has a detailed and textured surface, reflecting light to highlight its contours and enhance the three-dimensional quality of the figure. The edges of the oval frame the figure, adding a sense of completeness to the composition.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Aesculapius
Florentine 15th Century
- Date
- 15th century
- Medium
- bronze//Light brown patina
- Dimensions
- overall (oval): 5.66 x 3.64 cm (2 1/4 x 1 7/16 in.) gross weight: 25.59 gr (0.056 lb.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Plaquette
- Accession number
- 1957.14.157
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1300 to 1400
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Florentine
- classical
- mythology
- Renaissance
- Renaissance Plaquettes
- Aesculapius
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.
Marks
Reverse bears former inventory numbers 13 in red paint (Dreyfus) and 33 in yellow paint (Ricci 1931).
NGA object ID 43877. 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.