Read the visual description
The sculpture depicted in the image is a round, medallion-like relief. The subject of the sculpture is a human figure kneeling on a sea creature resembling a dolphin. The figure is partially draped in flowing garments, with one hand resting on the dolphin's head. The sculpture is primarily brown in color. It features intricate details such as the textures of the figure's clothing and a dynamic pose. Surrounding the central image is a raised border with inscribed text. The surface of the sculpture shows signs of aging.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Arion Riding a Dolphin [reverse]
Giovanni Boldù
- Date
- 1457
- Medium
- bronze
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 7.21 cm (2 13/16 in.) gross weight: 97.73 gr (0.215 lb.) axis: 1:00
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.732.b
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Venetian
- classical
- mythology
- Renaissance
- Dolphin
- Arion
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 top circumference: VIRTVTI OMNIA PARENT / ARIONI; around bottom circumference: MCCCCLVII OPVS IOANIS BOLDV PICTORIS
NGA object ID 44565. 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.