The sculpture depicts two figures engaged in distinct activities. On the left, there is a figure playing a lyre. The figure is bent slightly towards the musical instrument. To the right, another figure holds a tool, seemingly chiseling or working on a structure at a small table. Both figures have detailed facial expressions and clothing, and they are set against a backdrop that includes a stylized plant design. The sculpture is a bas-relief with a rectangular shape and is crafted from a material that resembles bronze or a similar metal with a darkened patina and highlights. The texture and color of the sculpture suggest aged and weathered metal, giving it an antique appearance. The figures appear in a naturalistic style, though simplified and captured in mid-action.
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The sculpture depicts two figures engaged in distinct activities. On the left, there is a figure playing a lyre. The figure is bent slightly towards the musical instrument. To the right, another figure holds a tool, seemingly chiseling or working on a structure at a small table. Both figures have detailed facial expressions and clothing, and they are set against a backdrop that includes a stylized plant design. The sculpture is a bas-relief with a rectangular shape and is crafted from a material that resembles bronze or a similar metal with a darkened patina and highlights. The texture and color of the sculpture suggest aged and weathered metal, giving it an antique appearance. The figures appear in a naturalistic style, though simplified and captured in mid-action.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Apollo and Vulcan

Master I.S.A.

Medium
silvered bronze
Dimensions
overall: 4.29 × 4.09 cm (1 11/16 × 1 5/8 in.) gross weight: 15.62 gr (0.034 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.353
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • classical
  • mythology
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Apollo
  • Vulcan
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 197 in red paint (Dreyfus collection).

NGA object ID 44078. 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.