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Francesco Foscari

Medal
middle of 15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This medal depicts on the obverse the bust of the Doge of Venice, Francesco Foscari and on the reverse a representation of Venice in the form of a female figure on a throne.

Foscari was Doge from 1373-1457. He was the logest lasting Doge in the history of Venice. He was a popular Doge with affections for pageantry, jousts and tournaments.

The medal is made by Antonio di Marco Gambello (active 1458-79), who was an Italian architect and sculptor. He was the chief architect to San Zaccaria in Venice, from 1458, and worked on it all his life. The church was finished by Mauro Coducci (c.1440-1504).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFrancesco Foscari (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, bust of Francesco Foscari, Doge of Venice, by Antonio di Marco Gambello, Italy (Venice), middle of 15th century
Physical description
This medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the right of Foscari, wearing the "corno" and ducal robes. Inscription.
On the reverse is a female figure, for Venice, seated on a throne formed by two lions. She wears a cuirass, and carries a sword and a shield charged with a lion rampant. Beneath her feet two small figures. Inscription.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 4.7cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'FRANCISCVS . FOSCARI . DVX' (on the obverse.)
  • 'VENETIA MAGNA / A N' (reverse)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This medal depicts on the obverse the bust of the Doge of Venice, Francesco Foscari and on the reverse a representation of Venice in the form of a female figure on a throne.

Foscari was Doge from 1373-1457. He was the logest lasting Doge in the history of Venice. He was a popular Doge with affections for pageantry, jousts and tournaments.

The medal is made by Antonio di Marco Gambello (active 1458-79), who was an Italian architect and sculptor. He was the chief architect to San Zaccaria in Venice, from 1458, and worked on it all his life. The church was finished by Mauro Coducci (c.1440-1504).
Bibliographic references
  • Hill, George Francis. A Corpus of Italian Medals of the Renaissance, Before Cellini, Volume I, Text. London: British Museum, 1930, no. 410
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 19
Collection
Accession number
A.176-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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