The sculpture is a circular bronze medallion featuring a detailed relief. The subject depicts a winged figure seated to the right, holding a staff and wearing a wreath on their head. In contrast, a smaller creature with a human-like appearance and wings crouches on the left side, balancing a staff or branch on their back. The setting is completed with plants surrounding the figures. The material is bronze, giving it a rich, dark brown color with lighter highlights, emphasizing the depth and texture of the carved images. The medallion has a hole near the top center, possibly for hanging or attachment. The figures are portrayed with fine attention to detail, showcasing intricate hairstyles, clothing, and posture, giving the scene a lively and dynamic feel within the confines of the circular form.
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The sculpture is a circular bronze medallion featuring a detailed relief. The subject depicts a winged figure seated to the right, holding a staff and wearing a wreath on their head. In contrast, a smaller creature with a human-like appearance and wings crouches on the left side, balancing a staff or branch on their back. The setting is completed with plants surrounding the figures. The material is bronze, giving it a rich, dark brown color with lighter highlights, emphasizing the depth and texture of the carved images. The medallion has a hole near the top center, possibly for hanging or attachment. The figures are portrayed with fine attention to detail, showcasing intricate hairstyles, clothing, and posture, giving the scene a lively and dynamic feel within the confines of the circular form.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

An Allegorical Scene

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 5.65 cm (2 1/4 in.) gross weight: 43.86 gr (0.097 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.348
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Paduan
  • Fame
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • classical
  • allegory
  • Virtue
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 number 192(?) in black ink (unidentified collection), as well as earlier-style NGA accession number in red paint.

NGA object ID 44072. 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.