Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Giovanni Gioviano Pontano (1426–1503)

ca. 1490
Not on view
Pontano was a leading humanist and statesman at the court of Naples and the "tutor" of Duke Alfonso of Calabria. He was a passionate student of ancient authors, trying to reconcile their goals with Christianity, and from 1471 led the Neapolitan Academy that later bore his name. Fittingly, the humanist is shown in antique garb. Adriano Fiorentino, the artist of the portrait, arrived in Naples in about 1488, working there until 1495. He also made a bronze bust of the humanist and a portrait medal.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Giovanni Gioviano Pontano (1426–1503)
  • Artist: Adriano Fiorentino (Adriano di Giovanni de' Maestri) (Italian, Florence (?) born ca. 1450–60, died 1499 Florence)
  • Date: ca. 1490
  • Culture: Italian, Naples
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall (wt. confirmed): H. 19 7/8 x W. 13 1/8 x D. 4 1/2 in., Wt. 73lb. (50.5 x 33.3 x 11.4 cm, 33.1126kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1991
  • Object Number: 1991.21
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
Portrait medal of Giovanni Giovano Pontano, Adriano Fiorentino (Adriano di Giovanni de' Maestri) Italian, Bronze (Copper alloy with brown patina and remnants of black lacquer or wax).
Portrait medal of Giovanni Giovano Pontano
Adriano Fiorentino (Adriano di Giovanni de' Maestri)
model last quarter 15th century (cast 16th century)
Crozier Head, Translucent enamels, silver, gilded silver, and niello, South Italian
Crozier Head
South Italian
1457
Lion felling a bull, from a marble pediment, Marble, Parian, Greek, Attic
Lion felling a bull, from a marble pediment
Greek, Attic
ca. 525–500 BCE
Elisabetta Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, Adriano Fiorentino (Adriano di Giovanni de' Maestri) Italian, Lead, Italian, Florence
Elisabetta Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino
Medalist: Adriano Fiorentino (Adriano di Giovanni de' Maestri)
15th century
Vita et Fabulae (Aesop), Aesop Greek, Printed book with metalcut or woodcut illustrations, bound in green, with gilt edges
Vita et Fabulae (Aesop)
Author Aesop
Editor Francesco Del Tuppo
Publisher Germani Fidelissimi
February 13, 1485

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.