Donato di Angelo
Medal
ca. 1505-1506 (made)
ca. 1505-1506 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The portrait medal was used as a way of showing friendship, wealth and scholarship. It was inspired by double-sided Roman coins, which usually had a portrait of the emperor on one side and Latin inscriptions on both sides. Renaissance medals had a portrait on the obverse (front) and often a motto or allegorical figure on the reverse, underlining the qualities of the person shown in the portrait.
Bramante was architect to Pope Julius II. The reverse of this medal shows an allegory of architecture, with his design for the basilica of St Peter in Rome. As built, St Peter’s looks very different as subsequent architects departed from Bramante’s designs. Like many medals, the reverse does not align with the obverse image.
Bramante was architect to Pope Julius II. The reverse of this medal shows an allegory of architecture, with his design for the basilica of St Peter in Rome. As built, St Peter’s looks very different as subsequent architects departed from Bramante’s designs. Like many medals, the reverse does not align with the obverse image.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Donato di Angelo (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
Brief description | Medal, bronze, self portrait of Il Bramante (Donato di Angelo), architect, by Bramante, Milan, end of 15th or beginning of 16th century |
Physical description | Circular medal, the obverse depicts the self portrait of Bramante in profile, facing left. His hair is worn in tight curls on the base of his neck. Inscription. The reverse of this medal shows an allegory of architecture - a woman in robes with a measuring rule and her foot on a rough hewn building block. Inscription. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
Production | formerly ascribed to Caradosso Foppa |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The portrait medal was used as a way of showing friendship, wealth and scholarship. It was inspired by double-sided Roman coins, which usually had a portrait of the emperor on one side and Latin inscriptions on both sides. Renaissance medals had a portrait on the obverse (front) and often a motto or allegorical figure on the reverse, underlining the qualities of the person shown in the portrait. Bramante was architect to Pope Julius II. The reverse of this medal shows an allegory of architecture, with his design for the basilica of St Peter in Rome. As built, St Peter’s looks very different as subsequent architects departed from Bramante’s designs. Like many medals, the reverse does not align with the obverse image. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.225-1910 |
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Record created | June 11, 2009 |
Record URL |
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