The sculpture is a roundel relief featuring two nude figures in the center. The pair is embraced, with the left figure placing an arm around the shoulder of the right figure. The sculpture is rendered in a dark brown material, possibly bronze, providing a metallic sheen and a sense of depth in the relief. Surrounding the central figures are intricate patterns and perhaps miniature figures or elements that add complexity to the scene, framed by a circular border. The relief carvings provide a detailed and textured appearance, emphasizing the contours and musculature of the figures in the foreground, creating a contrast with the more chaotic and densely packed background.
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The sculpture is a roundel relief featuring two nude figures in the center. The pair is embraced, with the left figure placing an arm around the shoulder of the right figure. The sculpture is rendered in a dark brown material, possibly bronze, providing a metallic sheen and a sense of depth in the relief. Surrounding the central figures are intricate patterns and perhaps miniature figures or elements that add complexity to the scene, framed by a circular border. The relief carvings provide a detailed and textured appearance, emphasizing the contours and musculature of the figures in the foreground, creating a contrast with the more chaotic and densely packed background.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

An Allegorical Scene

German 16th Century

Date
16th century
Medium
bronze//Very dark patina
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 8 cm (3 1/8 in.) gross weight: 192 gr
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.575
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • German
  • allegory
  • Woman
  • Embracing
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Man
  • Chalice
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

across top on scroll: NOM / DOM / INI MA / [n]E[t]IN.AE / T / RNVM H:M O.

NGA object ID 44295. 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.