The image shows a sculpture of a human figure riding a bull. The figure is on top of the bull, holding onto its back with one hand and grasping a stick-like object with the other hand. Both the human figure and the bull are crafted in a raised relief style on a circular plaque. The sculpture appears to be made from a golden-colored material with a metallic sheen, likely bronze or a similar alloy. The details on the sculpture depict the muscular structure of both the man and the bull, with prominent horns on the bull's head. The human and bull are harmoniously proportioned to the circular frame, and the smooth background contrasts with the textured figures.
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The image shows a sculpture of a human figure riding a bull. The figure is on top of the bull, holding onto its back with one hand and grasping a stick-like object with the other hand. Both the human figure and the bull are crafted in a raised relief style on a circular plaque. The sculpture appears to be made from a golden-colored material with a metallic sheen, likely bronze or a similar alloy. The details on the sculpture depict the muscular structure of both the man and the bull, with prominent horns on the bull's head. The human and bull are harmoniously proportioned to the circular frame, and the smooth background contrasts with the textured figures.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

A Youth Riding on a Bull

Pseudo Melioli

Medium
gilded bronze
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 3.02 cm (1 3/16 in.) gross weight: 8.35 gr (0.018 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.204
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • North Italian
  • boy
  • figure
  • Bull
  • 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 81 in red paint (Dreyfus) and 80 in yellow paint (Ricci 1931).

NGA object ID 43925. 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.