
Read the visual description
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.