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Unknown Lady

Medal
second half of the 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Ruspagiari, Alfonso (medallists)
Place of origin
Italy (made)

This is a bronze medal made by Alfonzo Ruspagiani in the second half of the 16th century. The medal is only decorated on one side with a representation of an unknown lady.
Ruspagiari (1521-1576) was a medallist and sculptor. Almost nothing is known of his activity as an artist.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Portraits
Object type
Medal
TitleUnknown Lady (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, lead, depicting an unknown lady, Alfonso Ruspagiari, Italy (Emilian), late 16th century
Physical description
Obverse only medal, depicting an unknown lady in three-quarter profile, as though floating in the oval field of the relief, viewed by a face opposite in profile. The truncation of the bust is bound by a narrow rigid girdle, through which a light veil is intertwined. The veil is bunched at the centre under a grotesque mask that seems to be attached to a girdle, while the rest of it is swept behind the bust and knotted over the left shoulder. A pendant on a ribbon hangs from the woman's neck. Her hair is elaborately wound. Her right shoulder is raised. Both arms have been truncated just below the shoulder. Reverse plain.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 6.98cm
Object history
Provenance: Tross. 140 medals and reliefs were purchased from M. Henri Tross of Paris for £500 by J.C. Robinson for the Museum in 1867.
Production
signed A.P.
Subjects depicted
Woman
Lady
Face
Summary
This is a bronze medal made by Alfonzo Ruspagiani in the second half of the 16th century. The medal is only decorated on one side with a representation of an unknown lady.
Ruspagiari (1521-1576) was a medallist and sculptor. Almost nothing is known of his activity as an artist.
Bibliographic references
  • Hill, G. Medals of the Renaissance. London, 1978, p. 98, pl. 18:11
  • Armand, A. Les Médailleurs Italiens. I, Paris, 1883, pp. 216-217
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1867. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 15
  • Scher, Stephen K, The Currency of fame: portrait medals of the Renaissance, New York, National Gallery of Art (U.S.), Frick Collection., 1994 pp.186-187
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
79-1867

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Record createdJune 23, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O251282/unknown-lady-medal-ruspagiari-alfonso/
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