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The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring the profile of a man in elaborate attire. The medallion has a rich golden-brown tone. The man depicted has a prominent nose and high forehead, and he is facing left. The intricate details in his clothing include ornate patterns and textures. Surrounding the profile is an inscription with the words "ALEXANDER VI PONT MAX." The top of the medallion has a small circular hole.
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The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring the profile of a man in elaborate attire. The medallion has a rich golden-brown tone. The man depicted has a prominent nose and high forehead, and he is facing left. The intricate details in his clothing include ornate patterns and textures. Surrounding the profile is an inscription with the words "ALEXANDER VI PONT MAX." The top of the medallion has a small circular hole.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia, c. 1431-1503), Pope 1492 [obverse]

Roman 15th Century

Date
c. 1492
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 5.65 cm (2 1/4 in.) gross weight: 61.06 gr (0.135 lb.) axis: 6:00
Classification
Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
Accession number
1992.39.1.a
Credit line
Edward E. MacCrone Fund
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Roman
  • Renaissance
  • Medals
  • bust facing left
  • portrait
  • Borgia, Rodrigo (Pope Alexander VI)
Provenance

Eugène Piot [1812-1890], Paris; (his sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 21-24 and 27-30 May 1890, no. 640). Baron Adalbert von Lanna [1836-1909], Prague; (his estate sale, Rudolph Lepke's Kunst-Auctions-Haus, Berlin, 16-19 May 1911, 1st day, no. 141); Hermann Vogel [1841-1917], Chemnitz; by descent in the Vogel family; (sale, Sotheby's, London, 9-10 April 1992, 2nd day, no. 461); purchased by (Cyril Humphris, Ltd., London) for NGA.

Inscription

around circumference: .ALEXANDER.VI.PONT.MAX.IVST.PACIS.Q.CVLTOR.

NGA object ID 74846. 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.