Medal: Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga
Active in Verona and the Italian courts, the celebrated master Pisanello left behind a significant legacy, including a large corpus of drawings, several paintings, and the devopment of the Renaissance portrait medal. Inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, the medals commemorated individuals or events and functioned as gifts and mementoes. The obverse presents a portrait of Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga, marquess of Mantua (1394/95 – 1444). He is shown on
the reverse mounted in armor and riding in a rocky landscape with a dwarf squire on horseback in the background. To his left hangs a door knocker. This is an old aftercast, possibly after a lead original, with some bruises.
the reverse mounted in armor and riding in a rocky landscape with a dwarf squire on horseback in the background. To his left hangs a door knocker. This is an old aftercast, possibly after a lead original, with some bruises.
Artwork Details
- Title: Medal: Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga
- Artist: Pisanello (Antonio Pisano) (Italian, Pisa or Verona by 1395–1455)
- Date: model ca. 1445–47 (old aftercast)
- Medium: Copper alloy with dark patina and dark layer of wax
- Dimensions: Diam. 9.9 cm, wt. 311.17 g.
- Classification: Medals
- Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
1975.1.1308 - Object Number: 1975.1.1308
- Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection
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Pisanello (Antonio Pisano)
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ca. 1441–44
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ca. 1441–44 (possibly cast 16th century)
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