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The image displays an intricately carved circular medal or medallion with a relief sculpture. The central figures are engaged with each other over a small burning altar or brazier. One figure is sitting and the other is kneeling. There is a seated fully nude figure, facing another draped figure. In the background, there are two standing figures and a small statue on a pedestal depicting a cherub with outstretched arms. The sculpture has a metallic bronze hue, implying it is made of bronze. The surface is finely detailed, emphasizing the relief figures and surrounding elements. The piece is bordered with decorative scrollwork and bears inscriptions, notably "LCRII" along the bottom edge.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
A Sacrifice to Cupid
Paduan 16th Century
- Date
- c. 1525
- Medium
- bronze//Dark brown patina
- Dimensions
- overall (oval): 5.98 x 5.15 cm (2 3/8 x 2 in.) gross weight: 44.78 gr (0.099 lb.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Plaquette
- Accession number
- 1957.14.344
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1501 to 1550
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Paduan
- religious
- ceremony
- Renaissance
- Renaissance Plaquettes
- Cupid
- Sacrifice
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.
Inscription
in the exergue, the S smaller in size: L CSR II [1]
Marks
Reverse bears former inventory numbers 86 in red paint (Dreyfus) and 220 in yellow paint (Ricci 1931).
NGA object ID 44068. 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.