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The sculpture depicts three human figures in an ancient or historical setting. The central figure is a nude male wearing a helmet and draped with a cloth that covers one shoulder, while the two figures flanking him are dressed in armor and helms. They appear to be in a mildly aggressive stance, with one holding what looks like a dagger or short sword. The sculpture is circular and appears to be a relief on a circular medallion or plaque. The material of the sculpture seems to be a bronze or similar metal, giving it a brownish-golden color with some variation due to lighting and texture. In the background, there is a depiction of ships and possibly a coastal setting. The figures have realistic proportions and detailing, indicating fine craftsmanship.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Arion Captured by Pirates
Moderno
- Date
- late 15th - early 16th century
- Medium
- bronze//Medium brown patina
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 10.58 cm (4 3/16 in.) gross weight: 189.55 gr (0.418 lb.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Plaquette
- Accession number
- 1957.14.328
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Renaissance
- Renaissance Plaquettes
- Veronese
- classical
- secular
- Mantuan
- Arion
- Pirates
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 faint traces of former catalogue number 206 in thin white paint (Molinier 1886), as well as former inventory numbers 160 in red paint (Dreyfus) and 204 in yellow paint (Ricci 1931).
NGA object ID 44052. 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.