Portrait medal of Niccolò Piccinino (obverse); A Griffin (reverse)
model 1440–41 (possibly cast 16th century)
Medium
Bronze (copper alloy with reddish brown patina and traces of dark wax)
Dimensions
Diam. 8.7 cm, wt. 255.97 g.
Classification
Medals
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1304
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
This medals titled "Portrait medal of Niccolò Piccinino (obverse); A Griffin (reverse)" by Pisanello (Antonio Pisano) dates to model 1440–41 (possibly cast 16th century). Executed in bronze (copper alloy with reddish brown patina and traces of dark wax), this work exemplifies the craftsmanship associated with Robert Lehman Collection. The piece demonstrates the technical skill and artistic vision characteristic of its period. The work's presence in a major museum collection attests to its signif...
Art Historical Context
Step into the Renaissance world with Pisanello's *Portrait Medal of Niccolò Picino (obverse); A Griffin (reverse)* modeled around 1440–41 and possibly cast in the 16th century Antonio Pisano, known as Pisanello, a pioneering artist of the early Italian Renaissance, celebrated for inventing the portrait medal—a small, sculptural form blending classical antiquity with contemporary portraiture. This bronze piece (copper alloy with signature reddish-brown patina and traces of dark) measures 8.7 cm in diameter and weighs nearly 256 grams, showcasing the medal's heft and durability as a wearable or displayable art object. The obverse features a detailed profile portrait of Niccolò Piccinino, a prominent condottiero (mercenary leader) whose sharp features and armor evoke the turbulent politics of 15th-century Italy. Flipping to the reverse reveals a majestic griffin—a mythical creature symbolizing strength and vigilance, often tied to heraldry and power. Pisanello's mastery of low-relief carving captures lifelike textures and dynamic forms, techniques rooted in his study of ancient coins and gems. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Robert Lehman Collection since 1975, this medal highlights the Renaissance revival of classical medallic art, serving as both personal commemoration and propaganda. Its survival attests to enduring craftsmanship, inviting us to ponder the era's blend of military might and artistic innovation.