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Medal of Cardinal Grimani

Medal
ca. 1500 (made)
Artist/Maker
Camelio (artist)
Place of origin
Italy (made)

Thi medal depicts on the obverse the bareheaded bust to the left, of Cardinal Domenico Grimani (b. 1461; d. 1523), who was a Venetian Churchman and Cardinal between the years 1493-1523. On the reverse are allegorical female figures symbolising Theology and Philosophy. Theology, standing beneath a palm tree, holds Philosophy's hand, who is seated before her, and points upwards with her right hand. The figures are draped.

The medallist was Camelio, also called Vittore Gambello. He was a Venetian sculptor, goldsmith, coin-engraver, founder and medallist (b. 1460; d. 1539). His career ranges from 1484 - 1523. The invention of cutting dies in steel is attributed to him. This technique allowed more minute work to be introduced into medals, marking a new era in medallic engraving.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Metalwork
Sculpture
Portraits
Myths & Legends
Object type
Medal
TitleMedal of Cardinal Grimani (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze cast in relief
Bronze
Casting
Relief
Brief description
Medal, bronze, depicting Cardinal Domenico Grimani, by Camelio (Vittore Gambello), Italy, ca. 1500
Physical description
This medal depicts: Obv.: DOMINCUS: CARDINALIS: GRIMANVS. Bust to the left bareheaded.
Rev. THEOLOGIA : PHILOSOPHIA. Female figures emblematical of Theology and Philosophy. Theology standing beneath a palm-tree holds the hand of Philosophy who is seated before her, and points upwards with her right hand; the figures are draped.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • DOMINCUS: CARDINALIS: GRIMANVS (on the obverse)
  • THEOLOGIA : PHILOSOPHI (on the reverse)
Object history
Bought, £11 0s. 6d.
Production
Camelio also called Vittore Gambello
Subjects depicted
Bust
Female Figure
Theology
Philosophy
Palm Tree
Grimani, Domenico
Summary
Thi medal depicts on the obverse the bareheaded bust to the left, of Cardinal Domenico Grimani (b. 1461; d. 1523), who was a Venetian Churchman and Cardinal between the years 1493-1523. On the reverse are allegorical female figures symbolising Theology and Philosophy. Theology, standing beneath a palm tree, holds Philosophy's hand, who is seated before her, and points upwards with her right hand. The figures are draped.

The medallist was Camelio, also called Vittore Gambello. He was a Venetian sculptor, goldsmith, coin-engraver, founder and medallist (b. 1460; d. 1539). His career ranges from 1484 - 1523. The invention of cutting dies in steel is attributed to him. This technique allowed more minute work to be introduced into medals, marking a new era in medallic engraving.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 87
  • Hill, George Francis. A Corpus of Italian Medals of the Renaissance, Before Cellini, Volume I, Text. London: British Museum, 1930, p. 223, No. 863
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
520-1903

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Record createdNovember 13, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O172377/medal-of-cardinal-grimani-medal-camelio/
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