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Portrait Medal of 'Ludovicus de Gonzaga'
Portrait Medal of 'Ludovicus de Gonzaga'

Portrait Medal of 'Ludovicus de Gonzaga'

Artist Antonio di Puccio Pisano called Pisanello Italian, ca. 1395 - probably 1455
Dateafter 1447
Place of OriginItaly
MediumBronze
DimensionsOverall (Medal only): 1/2 x 3 13/16 in. (1.3 x 9.7 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineBequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde
Object number1971.97
On View
Not on view
Collections
  • Sculpture
  • European Paintings & Sculpture
InscribedSee description
MarkingsThe artist's name is cast into the design ""OPUS·PISANI·/PICTO/RIS" (Antoinio di Puccio Pisano aka Pisanello)
DescriptionProbably made somewhat later from an original cast of about 1447. The modeling is quite soft and the whole casting somewhat sloppy. See images of medals in the British Museum collection (see file) for comparison and Notes section of this record re auction catalog's non-assignment of artist.

Cast bronze (not die struck) circular medallion with designs in fairly high relief on both sides. This is the correct technique. Originally Pisanello's medals were not die struck but cast.

The portrait side (recto) has a bust length image of a man facing left. He wears what appears to be a textured skull cap. His name, "LUDOVI/CUS·DE·/GONZ/AGA" in somewhat crude capital letters is cast across the width of the medal at his shoulder level. Arched above his head on the upper edge is "CAPITANEUS·ARMIGERORUM·" and below him following the lower edge "MARCHIO·MANTUE·ET·CET"

The verso shows a man in armor on horseback. Behind the rider are the words "OPUS·PISANI·/PICTO/RIS"

Pierced with small hole between the A and R of Armigerorum.

Ludovico Gonzaga (1412-1478) was the third Gonzaga elder with this given name. His father, Gianfrancesco, was a successful general rewarded for his services with the title Marquess of Mantua. Ludovico followed in his martial footsteps but was also known for art patronage. Ludovico ruled Mantua from 1444 to his death. In about 1447 Pisanello was in Mantua painting the fresco cycle 'Scenes of War and Chivalry' in the Ducal palace in Mantua and it is thought that this portrait medal would have been commissioned at that time. An indication of the esteem in which Pisanello was held is that Ludovico appointed others of similar reputation including Andrea Mantegna, who was artist to the court of Mantua in 1460.

Rests unattached in a small red velvet covered wooden frame with leather easel at the back. The age of the frame is uncertain, but the velvet appears to be early.


Exhibition History"A Glens Falls Legacy: The Pruyn Family/A Shared Life: Selections from the Pruyn Family Collection," Charles R. Wood Gallery, The Hyde Collection, June 8, 2008 - Aug. 24, 2008.

"Celebrating 60 Years: The Collector Charlotte Pruyn Hyde," Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, NY, May 6-Sept. 17, 2023.ProvenanceRome Italy, Countess Stroganoff
Florence, Italy, Elia Volpi
1916, New York, NY, Davanzati Sale
New York, NY, Enrico Caruso
1923, New York, NY, American Art Association (auction)
1923, Glens Falls, NY, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Hyde
1963, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust (Bequest of Charlotte. P. Hyde)

There are no works to discover for this record.