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Auction: 390 - Renaissance Plaquettes and Commemorative Medals featuring the Neil A. Goodman Collection - e-Auction
Lot: 40

BERTOLODO DI GIOVANNI (ca. 1420-1491)
Filippo de'Medici (1426-1474), Archbishop of Pisa 1462. Medal [?], Florence 1468/9. Bronzed White Metal, 56mm. Tonsured bust in profile left, wearing rochet, within a wreath (Solomon's Seal) which is entwined with a scroll inscribed VIRTVTE and SVPERA, below the bust: PHYLIPPVS DE MEDICIS ARCHIEPISCHOPVS PISANVS; rev. The Last Judgement and Resurrection of the Dead: Christ at the upper center, angels around sounding the Last Trumpet, as the dead rise below - the Blessed on the left, the Damned on the right; in ex: ET INCARNE.MEA.VIDEBO.DEVM. SALVATOREM.MEVM. Armand I, 59, 33; Bargello I, 222; Hill 914, Pollard NGA 284.
Bishop of Arezzo, then Archbishop of Pisa, Filippo nursed fervent ambitions to be Cardinal of Florence, but his desire would never be realized. He represented Florence at the imperial court of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III during his visit to Rome in 1468-9, and this medal was probably made at this time. It has been suggested that Di Giovanni was a member of the Medici entourage and that the medal was commissioned as a gift by Filippo to garner support for his bid to become cardinal. The reverse composition was the inspiration for Michelangelo's Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel. A Very Fine old cast. Ex Westfälische Sale 75 (Germany), November 24-25, 2014, lot 3710 - 1,800 Euros
From the Neil A. Goodman Collection

Sold for
$1,450

Starting price
$550