- Personage:
-
Giovanni II Bentivoglio
Giovanni II Bentivoglio, Lord of Bologna (1443-1509). Governor of Bologna from 1462-1506.
- Artist:
-
Sperandio of Mantova
—
Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Goldsmith (1435-1520).
The most prolific medallist of the 15th Century (48 medals), lived mostly in Ferrara; 5 years in Venice and 10 years in Bologna. Also worked in Milano, Faenza and Padova.
- Description:
-
Obverse: · IO · BENT · II · HANIB · FILIVS · EQVES · AC · COMES · PATRIAE · PRINCEPS · AC · LIBERTATIS · COLVNEN · Bust facing right, mature, with long hair, wearing tall round cap with edge turned back all around, plate-armour over mail.
Reverse: (leaf) OPVS · S/PERANDEl · Giovanni in armour, wearing cap as on obv., sword at side, riding to left, on horse, holding baton in right hand; on trapper of horse, horse-head shield three times repeated (probably in all three the Bentivoglio sega); behind him, seen from front, mounted squire, with tall crest of globe and plumes, holding lance in right hand Stony ground.
- Background:
-
Cast in 1482. The last of three medals of Bentivoglio made by Sperandio. The medal is before the period when Sperandio was inflluenced by Lysippus (c. 1487 – 91). Giovanni II was 40 years of age.
- Diameter:
- 92.2 mm. Bronze cast.
- Evaluation:
- Good patina, little wear. Original cast.
- Reference:
- Hill 391: Armand I, 65, 6; Pollard 96 = Kress 128; Scher 24.