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Alessandro Tartagna
Sperandio of Mantua (Italian, 1425–28–died after 1504)
Italian
Renaissance
15th century
Place of Manufacture: Italy
Medium/Technique
Metal; cast bronze
Dimensions
Diameter and weight: 85 mm (3 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Martin Brimmer
Accession Number87.69
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsNumismatics – Medals
Catalogue Raisonné
Hill 381C.
Kress 124.
DescriptionCircular medal in high relief of Alessandro Tartagni of Imola.
Obverse: Profile bust of Alessandro Tartagni looking to proper right, wearing robe and headress with drapery folded over his head and falling down his back; inscribed at edge "[abraided flower] ALEXANDER·TARTAGNVS·IVRECONSVLTISSIMVS·AC·VERITATIS·INTERPRES" ["T" and first "E" are elisioned together; second "E" is superscript between "R" and "S"].
Reverse: A nude Mercury wearing a hat and winged boots sits on a sea monster or dragon which looks to the proper right. Mercury holds the dragon's neck with his right hand and a caduceus with his left; inscribed at edge "VIGILANTIA·FLORVI·" [mark above "R" and "A"] and across field "OPVS SPERANDEI".
Obverse: Profile bust of Alessandro Tartagni looking to proper right, wearing robe and headress with drapery folded over his head and falling down his back; inscribed at edge "[abraided flower] ALEXANDER·TARTAGNVS·IVRECONSVLTISSIMVS·AC·VERITATIS·INTERPRES" ["T" and first "E" are elisioned together; second "E" is superscript between "R" and "S"].
Reverse: A nude Mercury wearing a hat and winged boots sits on a sea monster or dragon which looks to the proper right. Mercury holds the dragon's neck with his right hand and a caduceus with his left; inscribed at edge "VIGILANTIA·FLORVI·" [mark above "R" and "A"] and across field "OPVS SPERANDEI".
InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "[abraided flower] ALEXANDER·TARTAGNVS·IVRECONSVLTISSIMVS·AC·VERITATIS·INTERPRES" ["T" and first "E" are elisioned together; second "E" is superscript between "R" and "S"].
Reverse: Inscribed at edge "VIGILANTIA·FLORVI·" [mark above "R" and "A"] and across field "OPVS SPERANDEI".
Reverse: Inscribed at edge "VIGILANTIA·FLORVI·" [mark above "R" and "A"] and across field "OPVS SPERANDEI".
ProvenanceBy 1887, Martin Brimmer; 1887, gift of Martin Brimmer to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 1, 1887)