Read the visual description
The image displays a coin featuring a profile of a man's head and upper shoulders. The person depicted is in a side view, facing leftward. The facial features are detailed with the bridge of the nose, an outlined eye, and a pronounced chin. The man has shoulder-length, wavy hair and wears a distinguished hat. The clothing visible consists of a robe or possibly armor with a high collar. Around the head, there is an inscription that circles the perimeter of the coin. The coin's surface shows age, with dark, variable hues and textures. The background is unembellished, being solely the metal of the coin without additional features or ornamentation.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Borso d'Este, 1413-1471, Marquess of Ferrara 150, Duke of Modena and Reggio 1452 [obverse]
Ferrarese 15th Century
- Date
- before 1471
- Medium
- bronze
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 3.04 cm (1 3/16 in.) gross weight: 11.91 gr (0.026 lb.) axis: 12:00
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.632.a
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Renaissance
- Medals
- bust facing left
- portrait
- Ferrarese
- Marquess of Ferrara
- Este, Borso d'
Provenance
Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA. [1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, _The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals_, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.
Inscription
around circumference: BORSIVS DVX MVTINE ET REGI[i]
NGA object ID 44386. 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.