![Leonello d'Este, 1407-1450, Marquess of Ferrara 1441 [obverse]](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ci/AL18g_TyFqv9ox_3VHLA0VW2tvhxhLUcLT_5r4KudUO5DxyeRgzwsD0zle3BOqrXFbWNq2EudNeQ4yk)
Leonello d'Este, 1407-1450, Marquess of Ferrara 1441 [obverse]
Pisanello1444
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Washington, DC, United States
Pisanello, who was a painter as well as a medalist, is generally credited with having invented the Renaissance medal form, as well as having brought it to its highest potential. He made several medals of the Marquess of Ferrara, this one being for the occasion of Leonello's marriage to Maria of Aragon in 1444. The composition of the reverse side alludes to their marriage, with Leonello (in the guise of a lion; his name means "little lion") being taught to sing by Cupid, who here represents matrimonial love. The artist has dated this reverse composition (MCCCCXLIIII, or 1444) on the pillar in the background, and has signed it OPVS PISANI PICTORIS ("the work of Pisano the Painter").
The inscription across the field and around the bottom of the obverse, LEONELLVS MARCHIO ESTENSIS D(ominus) FERRARIE REGII ET MUTINE, identifies Leonello as Marquess of Este and Lord of Ferrara, Reggio, and Modena. The truncated inscription around the top, GE R AR, is an abbreviation of GENER REGIS ARAGONUM, identifying him (through his marriage) as the son-in-law of King Alfonso V of Aragon, ruler of Naples; Leonello's marriage to Maria brought him a bride who increased his prestige by associating him with the powerful Neapolitan court.
- Title: Leonello d'Este, 1407-1450, Marquess of Ferrara 1441 [obverse]
- Creator: Pisanello
- Date Created: 1444
- Physical Dimensions: overall (diameter): 10.08 cm (3 15/16 in.) gross weight: 318.02 gr (0.701 lb.) axis: 12:00
- Provenance: Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his heirs; purchased with the entire Dreyfus collection 9 July 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); sold 31 January 1944 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[1] gift 1957 to NGA. [1] The Duveen Brothers Records document the firm’s sixteen year pursuit and eventual acquisition of the Dreyfus collection, which included paintings, sculptures, small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes. Bequeathed as part of his estate to Dreyfus’ widow and five children (a son and four daughters), who had differing opinions about its disposition, the collection was not sold until after his widow’s death in April 1929. Duveen did not wish to separate Dreyfus’ collection of small bronzes, medals, and plaquettes, and it was sold intact to the Kress Foundation for a price that was met by installment payments every three months. (Duveen Brothers Records, accession number 960015, Research Library, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles: reel 301, box 446, folders 3 and 4; reel 302, box 447, folders 1-6; reel 303, box 448, folders 1 and 2; reel 330, box 475, folder 4.) See also George Francis Hill’s discussion "A Note on Pedigrees" in his catalogue, _The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Medals_, Oxford, 1931: xii, which was commissioned by Duveen Brothers.
- Rights: CC0
- Medium: bronze
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