Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470

1446

Not on view

Obverse: Following her name, in the part of the inscription that is often occupied by a sitter’s title, Isotta is said to have ornamented all Italy by her beauty and virtue, two concepts that were considered strictly interrelated. Isotta was the mistress of the Lord of Rimini. Most unusually, they went on to marry. This medal sought to legitimize their union then and forever.

Reverse: Both the meaning of the gloriously observed elephant and the choice of date – 1446 – are somewhat mysterious, given that the medal was made some years afterwards. The date may mark the beginning of Isotta’s illicit love affair with the Lord of Rimini and the elephant has been interpreted as signifying fame, chastity and magnanimity.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470
Artist: Medalist: Matteo de' Pasti (Italian, Verona ca. 1420–after 1467 Rimini)
Artist: School of Veronese
Date: 1446
Culture: Italian
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: Diameter: 83 mm
Classification: Medals and Plaquettes
Credit Line: Bequest of Anne D. Thomson, 1923
Object Number: 23.280.30
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470, Matteo de' Pasti Italian, Bronze, Italian, Ferrara — Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470
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Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, Matteo de' Pasti Italian, Bronze, Italian — Isotta degli Atti of Rimini
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Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470, Matteo de' Pasti Italian, Bronze, Italian — Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470
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Portrait medal of Isotta degli Atti (obverse); An Elephant (reverse), Matteo de' Pasti Italian, Bronze (copper alloy with a brown patina under a worn layer of dark brown wax) — Portrait medal of Isotta degli Atti (obverse); An Elephant (reverse)
Matteo de' Pasti
model 1446 or later (possibly cast 16th century)

Returned to lender

Isotta degli Atti (with elephant reverse)

Matteo de' Pasti

ca. 1450

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