- Personage:
-
Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga
Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga. First Marquess of Mantova, born in 1394, became “Signore” in 1407 and Marquess from 1433 until he died in 1444.
- Artist:
-
Antonio Pisano (known as Pisanello)
—
Painter and Sculptor, 1395-1455.
He was born in Pisa, worked in Rimini, Venice, Naples, Ferrara and Mantova. Pisanello is considered ‘The Creator’ of the Renaissance medals.
- Description:
-
Obverse: Inscription across: JOHANES · FR/ANCISCVS DE · GON/ZAGA. Above: CAPIT · MANFARMIGERORVM . Below: PRIMVS · MARCHIO · MANTVE. Bust facing left, wearing brocaded dress, tall hat with round brim, fluted body and round crown.
Reverse: · OPVS · PISANI · PICTORIS · between the two figures. The Marquess in armour, hat same as in obv., riding left on horse, sword at side, baton in right hand; to the right a mounted page, armed, seen from behind; to the left a ring-shaped door knocker.
- Background:
-
The medal was cast between 1439 and 1444 when Pisanello was in Mantova.
- Diameter:
- 95 mm. Bronze cast.
- Evaluation:
- Good cast with little wear.
- Reference:
- Hill 20; Armand I, 4, 11; Bargello 3; Pollard 16 = Kress 2; Cordellier 284; Syson/Gordon 2, p. 45, fig. 2.3.