The sculpture features two human figures: a standing male warrior to the right and a seated male figure to the left. The warrior wears a helmet with a decorative crest, holds an ornate shield in one hand, and possibly a spear or staff in the other. The seated figure is adorned with a short cloak, and appears contemplative. To the far right is a small figure of a child standing atop a pillar. The sculpture is made of a brownish-gold or bronze-like metal, with a patina suggesting aged brass or bronze. It is a round, medallion-like shape with a raised rim, presenting the detailed scene in relief.
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The sculpture features two human figures: a standing male warrior to the right and a seated male figure to the left. The warrior wears a helmet with a decorative crest, holds an ornate shield in one hand, and possibly a spear or staff in the other. The seated figure is adorned with a short cloak, and appears contemplative. To the far right is a small figure of a child standing atop a pillar. The sculpture is made of a brownish-gold or bronze-like metal, with a patina suggesting aged brass or bronze. It is a round, medallion-like shape with a raised rim, presenting the detailed scene in relief.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Warrior and a Sleeping Youth

Pseudo Melioli

Date
late 15th - early 16th century
Medium
bronze//Light brown patina
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 5.89 cm (2 5/16 in.) gross weight: 59.77 gr (0.132 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.193
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • North Italian
  • classical
  • allegory
  • Warrior
  • Youth
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 15 in white paint (unidentified collection), 73 in red paint (Dreyfus), and 69 in yellow paint (Ricci 1931).

NGA object ID 43913. 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.