Giangiacomo Trivulzio of Milan
Medal
1499 (dated)
1499 (dated)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Giangiacomo Trivulzio of Milan (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze |
Brief description | Medal, bronze, Giangiacomo Trivulzio of Milan, Italy (Milan), dated 1499 |
Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to the left of Trivulzio, in armour, crowned with laurel. Round the bust, with two incised circles, an inscription. In the four corners , three escutcheons, and the device of a cross in the centre of a wavy pointed star. On the reverse inscription. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
Production | formerly ascribed to Caradosso Foppa |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object. |
Bibliographic reference | '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. 29 |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.226-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON