The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a relief depiction of a male figure holding a snake in one hand as he looks back over his shoulder. He is partially draped and appears muscular. In the background, there is a tree and an urn with extended, wing-like handles. The sculpture is made of a brown material with a textured surface, likely bronze or a similar metal. The word "VIRTUS" is inscribed at the bottom of the medallion. There is a hole at the top of the piece, possibly for suspension. The design captures a detailed scene within the small round space, reminiscent of historical emblems or medals.
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The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a relief depiction of a male figure holding a snake in one hand as he looks back over his shoulder. He is partially draped and appears muscular. In the background, there is a tree and an urn with extended, wing-like handles. The sculpture is made of a brown material with a textured surface, likely bronze or a similar metal. The word "VIRTUS" is inscribed at the bottom of the medallion. There is a hole at the top of the piece, possibly for suspension. The design captures a detailed scene within the small round space, reminiscent of historical emblems or medals.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Allegorical Scene [obverse]

Master I.S.A.

Medium
bronze//Medium red-brown patina
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 5.35 cm (2 1/8 in.) gross weight: 77.23 gr (0.17 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.352.a
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • 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.

Inscription

in exergue: [flower] VIRTVS.

NGA object ID 44076. 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.