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Leonello d'Este
Antonio Pisano (called Pisanello) (Italian, about 1395–1455)
Italian
Renaissance
after 1444
Place of Manufacture: Italy
Medium/Technique
Metal; cast bronze
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 98 mm (3 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Anonymous gift in memory of L. Forrer, Sr.
Accession NumberRES.58.27
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
Catalogue Raisonné
Hill 32.
Kress 10.
DescriptionCircular medal of Leonello d'Este (born 1407, marquess of Ferrara 1441-50). Posthumous cast of original issued to commemorate his marriage to Maria of Aragon, daughter of King Alfonso of Naples (April 1444).
Obverse: Profile bust of Leonello d'Este looking to proper right; inscribed above "·GE·R·AR·", across field "LEO NELLVS·MARCHIO/·ESTE NSIS·", and below "·D·FERRARE·REGII·ET·MVTINE·".
Reverse: Cupid at proper left shows scroll to lion at proper right on rocky ground; in background is pedestal with mast and sail ontop and eagle perched on tree; inscribed at proper left "·OPVS·/PISANI·PICTORIS·" and on the column "M/CCCC/XLIIII".
Obverse: Profile bust of Leonello d'Este looking to proper right; inscribed above "·GE·R·AR·", across field "LEO NELLVS·MARCHIO/·ESTE NSIS·", and below "·D·FERRARE·REGII·ET·MVTINE·".
Reverse: Cupid at proper left shows scroll to lion at proper right on rocky ground; in background is pedestal with mast and sail ontop and eagle perched on tree; inscribed at proper left "·OPVS·/PISANI·PICTORIS·" and on the column "M/CCCC/XLIIII".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed above "·GE·R·AR·" ["Son-in-law of the king of Aragon"], across field "LEO NELLVS·MARCHIO/·ESTE NSIS·" ["Leonello Marquess d'Este"], and below "·D·FERRARE·REGII·ET·MVTINE·" ["Lord of Ferrara, Reggio, and Modena"].
Reverse: Inscribed at proper left "·OPVS·/PISANI·PICTORIS·" and on the column "M/CCCC/XLIIII" ["1444"].
Reverse: Inscribed at proper left "·OPVS·/PISANI·PICTORIS·" and on the column "M/CCCC/XLIIII" ["1444"].
Provenance1958, anonymous collector; 1955, given by this anonymous collector to the MFA. (Accession date: March 13, 1958)