Obverse legend: ALFONSVS REX ARAGONVM. Obverse description: Bust of the king, facing right. Reverse legend: OPVS PAVLI DE RAGVSIO. Reverse description: Upright female figure carrying a long sceptre with an entwined snake.
Show lessRead more
Details
Title: Medal dedicated to Alfons IV
Creator: Paolo da Ragusa
Creator Lifespan: Active around 1450
Date Created: Mid-15th century
Physical Dimensions: h42 mm
Inventory number: 018196-N
Description: Alfons the Magnanimous's stay in Naples following the conquest of the city made itself felt in artistic tastes. The king became an active patron of the arts. Amongst the main artists working for the king was Il Pisanello, who was responsible for one of the first Italian medals, and Paolo de Ragusa, who arrived in Naples in 1451 and who cast this medal. The item's iconography speaks clearly for the search for models in Classical Antiquity. Furthermore, from writings of the time, we know that Alfons collected coins, possibly ancient ones.
Artwork history: Former collections of the Numismatic Cabinet of Catalonia