Read the visual description
The sculpture depicts a man in profile, facing left, on a round medallion. He has curly hair and a beard, and is wearing intricate armor or garment with patterns and textures, including chainmail and decorative elements on the shoulder. The material appears metallic, likely bronze or similar alloy, with a dark tone indicating age. The surface shows wear and patina. There are holes at the top and bottom, suggesting possible mounting. The sculpture is circular, with an inscription along the border. The style is historical or classical, with focus on clothing and facial features.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Alfonso II d'Avalos, 1502-1546, Marquess of Vasto
Cesare da Bagno
- Date
- c. 1560-1563
- Medium
- lead//Four times pierced
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 6.57 cm (2 9/16 in.) gross weight: 39.62 gr (0.087 lb.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.911
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1551 to 1600
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Florentine
- Renaissance
- Medals
- bust facing left
- portrait
- Avalos, Alfonso II 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: ALF[onsus] DAV[a]L[os] MAR[chio] GV[asti] CAP[itaneus] G[eneralis] CAR[oli] V IMP[eratoris]
NGA object ID 44899. 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.