An Allegory
Plaquette
early 16th century (made)
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is a bronze plaquette made by Leone Leoni (1510-1592) in the early 16th century Italy. The plaquette represents an Allegory, in a composition of numerous figures.
Leone Leoni was an Italian sculptor with international perspective. Upon others he was commissioned by the Habsburg monarch Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Spain's Philip II. It is probable that Leone's formative years were spent with learning goldsmithing in Venice or Padua. After 1533 he is recorded with his wife and son in Venice and he later lived in Rome. In 1542 he moved to Milan, where his career as a coiner and medallist flourished. He went to Brussels to propose to Charles V to erect an equestrian portrait to the emperor in Milan. Charles V gave him a house in Milan and knighted him. After that he spent seven years working on imperial commissions in Milan. The death of Charles V shifted his focus of patronage from Spain back to Italy, where Michelangelo recommended him to Pope Pius IV, who then commissioned him to erect a tomb for the Pope's brother Gian Giacomo de' Medici in the Milan Cathedral. Completed in 1563, this is one of his most important works. He was also well known for his art collection, plastercasts, paintings and sculpture.
Leone Leoni was an Italian sculptor with international perspective. Upon others he was commissioned by the Habsburg monarch Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Spain's Philip II. It is probable that Leone's formative years were spent with learning goldsmithing in Venice or Padua. After 1533 he is recorded with his wife and son in Venice and he later lived in Rome. In 1542 he moved to Milan, where his career as a coiner and medallist flourished. He went to Brussels to propose to Charles V to erect an equestrian portrait to the emperor in Milan. Charles V gave him a house in Milan and knighted him. After that he spent seven years working on imperial commissions in Milan. The death of Charles V shifted his focus of patronage from Spain back to Italy, where Michelangelo recommended him to Pope Pius IV, who then commissioned him to erect a tomb for the Pope's brother Gian Giacomo de' Medici in the Milan Cathedral. Completed in 1563, this is one of his most important works. He was also well known for his art collection, plastercasts, paintings and sculpture.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | An Allegory (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, an Allegory, by Leone Leoni, Italian, early 16th century |
| Physical description | Plaquette in bronze. On the head of a draped female figure standing in the centre of a fountain is a vase with spouts in the form of dragon heads from which pour two streams of water. To the left in the foreground a man stoops to fill a vessel from the fountain, another holds a vase to catch the falling water, and a third, by whom is a child, drinks from a bowl; behind is a man holding a compass. To the right in the foreground a man drinks from the streaming water, another is holding a scroll, and a third stands behind with a vase. Above is the inscription "VIRTVS," and in the exergue "NVNQuam: DEFICIT" behind border. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | There is an electrotype copy of this medal (inv. no. 1857-87). It was bought from the Soulages collection in 1865. The dealer John Webb was despatched to examine and report on the collection, which was purchased between 1859 and 1865 in installments for £11,000 with the assistance of 73 subscribers. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This is a bronze plaquette made by Leone Leoni (1510-1592) in the early 16th century Italy. The plaquette represents an Allegory, in a composition of numerous figures. Leone Leoni was an Italian sculptor with international perspective. Upon others he was commissioned by the Habsburg monarch Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Spain's Philip II. It is probable that Leone's formative years were spent with learning goldsmithing in Venice or Padua. After 1533 he is recorded with his wife and son in Venice and he later lived in Rome. In 1542 he moved to Milan, where his career as a coiner and medallist flourished. He went to Brussels to propose to Charles V to erect an equestrian portrait to the emperor in Milan. Charles V gave him a house in Milan and knighted him. After that he spent seven years working on imperial commissions in Milan. The death of Charles V shifted his focus of patronage from Spain back to Italy, where Michelangelo recommended him to Pope Pius IV, who then commissioned him to erect a tomb for the Pope's brother Gian Giacomo de' Medici in the Milan Cathedral. Completed in 1563, this is one of his most important works. He was also well known for his art collection, plastercasts, paintings and sculpture. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 711-1865 |
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| Record created | May 6, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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