Read the visual description
The sculpture is a head profile of a young man with curly hair, looking right on a round coin or medallion. The material of the sculpture is likely a bronze or brass alloy, with a rich golden-brown color and some dark spots. The surface is smooth with text inscriptions encircling the profile. The details of the hair and facial features are finely crafted, providing depth and texture. The inscription around the edge is in block letters. The medal is flat and circular, designed for a top-down view, reminiscent of historical currency or commemorative items.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Antinous, died A.D.130, Favorite of the Emperor Hadrian [obverse]
Giovanni da Cavino
- Date
- mid 16th century
- Medium
- bronze and copper//Struck
- Dimensions
- overall (diameter): 4.13 cm (1 5/8 in.) gross weight: 48.21 gr (0.106 lb.) axis: 11:00
- Classification
- Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
- Accession number
- 1957.14.1322.a
- Credit line
- Samuel H. Kress Collection
- Time span
- 1501 to 1550
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Paduan
- Renaissance
- Medals
- bust facing right
- portrait
- 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 circumference in Greek: Hostilius Marcellus, priest of Antinous
NGA object ID 45594. 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.