Horse Pawing the Earth [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This exquisite small-scale sculpture, *Horse Pawing the Earthreverse]*, hails from 16th-century Florence around 1545, a golden age of Renaissance artistry. Crafted in cast non-sterling silver it measures just 5.11 cm (2 inches) in diameter and weighs 5843 grams, suggesting it forms the reverse side of a Renaissance medal orquette—a popular format for commemorating events, patrons, or virtues. Attributed to an anonymous Flor workshop, its precise casting technique highlights the era's mastery of metalwork, where artists drew on classical antiquity for dynamic motifs. The dynamic image of a horse pawing the ground evokes power, restlessness, and readiness—symbols often linked to nobility, warfare, or equestrian prowess in Renaissance iconography. Such medals were prized collectibles among Humanist scholars and elites, blending sculpture's three-dimensionality with coin-like portability. The 12:00 axis aligns with numismatic traditions, underscoring its dual role as art and artifact. A generous gift to the National Gallery of Art from Lisa and Leonard Baskin, this piece invites visitors to marvel at Florence's innovative fusion of form and symbolism, bridging ancient motifs with 16th-century ingenuity.