Medal: Niccolo Piccinino

model 1440–41 (possibly cast 19th century)
Not on view
Active in Verona and the Italian courts, the celebrated master Pisanello left behind a significant legacy, including a large corpus of drawings, several paintings, and the devopment of the Renaissance portrait medal. Inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, the medals commemorated individuals or events and functioned as gifts and mementoes. This medal depicts Nicolo Piccinino, a renowned mercenary soldier of Perugia, who was in the service of the Duke of Milan, Filipp Maria Visconti, in the years 1440-41, when this medal was produced. The she-griffin of Perugia suckling two children decorates the reverse. The course aftercast may date to the nineteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Medal: Niccolo Piccinino
  • Artist: Pisanello (Antonio Pisano) (Italian, Pisa or Verona by 1395–1455)
  • Date: model 1440–41 (possibly cast 19th century)
  • Medium: Copper alloy with reddish brown patina and traces of dark wax; pierced.
  • Dimensions: Diam. 8.7 cm, wt. 200.6 g.
  • Classification: Medals
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1303
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.