Isabella Gonzaga
Medal
mid-16th century (made)
mid-16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal by Jacopo da Trezzo depicts Isabella Gonzaga, born Isabella di Capua, Princess of Molfetta (d. 1559). She married Ferrante Gonzaga sometime in 1529/30, but because of Ferrante's ceaseless military campaigning the marriage was not consummated until much later.
She brought into the union the lands of Molfetta, Giovinazzo and other Neapolitan territory. Her fortune enabled Ferrante Gonzaga to buy the principality of Guastalla. They had three children.
She lived in Palermo when her husband was viceroy of Naples, and later in Milan, where he was governor.
The sculptor, gem-engraver and medallist Jacopo Nizzola Trezzo (b. Milan ca. 1515-d. Madrid 1589) served Cosimo II de'Medici as gem-cutter. His earliest medal is dated 1550. Later he worked for Philip II of Spain in the Netherlands (1555-1559) and in Madrid (1559-death).
She brought into the union the lands of Molfetta, Giovinazzo and other Neapolitan territory. Her fortune enabled Ferrante Gonzaga to buy the principality of Guastalla. They had three children.
She lived in Palermo when her husband was viceroy of Naples, and later in Milan, where he was governor.
The sculptor, gem-engraver and medallist Jacopo Nizzola Trezzo (b. Milan ca. 1515-d. Madrid 1589) served Cosimo II de'Medici as gem-cutter. His earliest medal is dated 1550. Later he worked for Philip II of Spain in the Netherlands (1555-1559) and in Madrid (1559-death).
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Isabella Gonzaga (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, bronze, bust of Isabella Gonzaga, by Jacopo da Trezzo, Italy, middle of 16th century |
| Physical description | This medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the right of Isabella Gonzaga in loose dress with slashed sleeves, wearing diadem, necklace and earrings, her back hair enveloped in a falling veil. With the inscription: ISABELLA CAPVA PRINC MALFICT FERDIN GONZ. VXOR. Signed below the truncation: IAC. TREZO. On the reverse: a draped figure standing to the right tends the flames upon a rectangular altar. Both sides are within a pearl border. With the inscription: CASTE ET SVPPLICITER. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Bought, £11 os. 6d. |
| Production | Milan |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal by Jacopo da Trezzo depicts Isabella Gonzaga, born Isabella di Capua, Princess of Molfetta (d. 1559). She married Ferrante Gonzaga sometime in 1529/30, but because of Ferrante's ceaseless military campaigning the marriage was not consummated until much later. She brought into the union the lands of Molfetta, Giovinazzo and other Neapolitan territory. Her fortune enabled Ferrante Gonzaga to buy the principality of Guastalla. They had three children. She lived in Palermo when her husband was viceroy of Naples, and later in Milan, where he was governor. The sculptor, gem-engraver and medallist Jacopo Nizzola Trezzo (b. Milan ca. 1515-d. Madrid 1589) served Cosimo II de'Medici as gem-cutter. His earliest medal is dated 1550. Later he worked for Philip II of Spain in the Netherlands (1555-1559) and in Madrid (1559-death). |
| Bibliographic reference | List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1905 - 1908. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1907, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, 1909, p. 78 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 468-1907 |
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| Record created | January 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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