71B

Personage:

Leonello D’Este

Leonello D’Este, Marquess of Ferrara, born in 1407; became “Signore” of Ferrara in 1441 until 1450. He was natural son of Nicolo’ III.

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: · LEONELLVS · MARCHIO · ESTENSIS · The words are separated by olive branches. Bust faces the left, wearing surcoat with floral ornament over mail.

Reverse: · OPVS · PISANI · PICTORIS · Two nude men standing, turned toward each other, each carrying on shoulder a large basket filled with olive branches; in background, on rocks, two closed vessels in which drops of rain fall from the clouds.

Background:

Cast in Ferrara around 1440/42.

Diameter:
69 mm. Bronze cast.
Evaluation:
Likely good quality older cast showing considerable wear.
Reference:
Hill, Corpus 27; Arm I, 3, 6; Pollard, Bargello I, 8; Pollard [2007] 7; Kress 7; Syson & Gordon 3.40a, b.