Giulia Astallia
Medal
early 16th century (made)
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal depicting Giulia Astallia, is made in the style of L'Antico, who was born ca. 1460 and died in 1528.
This medal was executed in the early 16th century in Mantua in Italy.
The medallist Pier Jacopo di Antonio Alari (or Ilario) Bonacolsi, also called L'Antico was a celebrated bronze-worker and medallist and probably born in Mantua about 1460 or earlier.
An expert in goldsmith work, bronze sculpture and medals, he earned his nickname ‘Antico’ because of his ‘astonishing penetration of antiquity’ (Nesselrath). He achieved lasting fame through his small-scale re-creations (often also reinterpretations) of famous, but often fragmentary, statues of antiquity (e.g. the Apollo belvedere, Rome, Vatican, Mus. Pio-Clementino, and the Spinario, Rome, Mus. Conserv.). Most of these bronze statuettes were made for the Gonzaga family, notably for Ludovico, Bishop of Mantua, and for Isabella d’Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, 4th Marchese of Mantua. Antico also restored ancient marble statues and acted as an adviser to collectors.
This medal was executed in the early 16th century in Mantua in Italy.
The medallist Pier Jacopo di Antonio Alari (or Ilario) Bonacolsi, also called L'Antico was a celebrated bronze-worker and medallist and probably born in Mantua about 1460 or earlier.
An expert in goldsmith work, bronze sculpture and medals, he earned his nickname ‘Antico’ because of his ‘astonishing penetration of antiquity’ (Nesselrath). He achieved lasting fame through his small-scale re-creations (often also reinterpretations) of famous, but often fragmentary, statues of antiquity (e.g. the Apollo belvedere, Rome, Vatican, Mus. Pio-Clementino, and the Spinario, Rome, Mus. Conserv.). Most of these bronze statuettes were made for the Gonzaga family, notably for Ludovico, Bishop of Mantua, and for Isabella d’Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, 4th Marchese of Mantua. Antico also restored ancient marble statues and acted as an adviser to collectors.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Giulia Astallia (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, made in the style of l'Antico, Italy, Mantua, early 16th century |
| Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust of Giulia Astallia to the left and on the reverse a phoenix. The figure of Giulia is shown half, head bent a little forward, hair in long braid knotted up and tied with fillet. bodice laced in front, neck open. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought |
| Production | Italy, Mantua |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal depicting Giulia Astallia, is made in the style of L'Antico, who was born ca. 1460 and died in 1528. This medal was executed in the early 16th century in Mantua in Italy. The medallist Pier Jacopo di Antonio Alari (or Ilario) Bonacolsi, also called L'Antico was a celebrated bronze-worker and medallist and probably born in Mantua about 1460 or earlier. An expert in goldsmith work, bronze sculpture and medals, he earned his nickname ‘Antico’ because of his ‘astonishing penetration of antiquity’ (Nesselrath). He achieved lasting fame through his small-scale re-creations (often also reinterpretations) of famous, but often fragmentary, statues of antiquity (e.g. the Apollo belvedere, Rome, Vatican, Mus. Pio-Clementino, and the Spinario, Rome, Mus. Conserv.). Most of these bronze statuettes were made for the Gonzaga family, notably for Ludovico, Bishop of Mantua, and for Isabella d’Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, 4th Marchese of Mantua. Antico also restored ancient marble statues and acted as an adviser to collectors. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 4494-1858 |
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| Record created | June 2, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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