Read the visual description
The image displays a round sculpture resembling a medallion or coin with a mythological scene. The sculpture features a winged creature with the body of a horse being ridden by a muscular male figure holding a club or similar object. The sculpture is cast in a warm, bronze-brown metal, giving it an antique appearance. The outer edge of the sculpture is inscribed with Greek letters, and the details of the winged creature and rider show a high level of detail with a focus on muscle definition and wing feathers. The circular form and the raised figures create a dynamic relief against the smooth background.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Antinous on a Griffin [reverse]
Italian 16th Century
- Date
- probably 1500/1599
- Medium
- bronze
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 4.26 cm (1 11/16 in.) gross weight: 36.31 gr (0.08 lb.) axis: 12:00
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.1111.b
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1401 to 1500
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- Renaissance
- history
- portrait
- Griffin
- Antinous
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 in Greek: ;across bottom in Greek:
NGA object ID 45235. 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.