Summary

Copy in two halves of a medal of Vittore Pisano. Original medal by Pisanello or Francesco Corradini before 1455. This British Museum electrotype made by Robert Ready circa 1881. The original medal was exhibited in the King's Library at the British Museum in 1881, it is No. 15 in the catalogue of that exhibition. It is thought that this electrotype was produced in association with that exhibition and publication and acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria where it was displayed in the mid 1880s.

"The probable explanation of the reverse is that these letters stand for the initials of the seven cardinal virtues. Fides, Spes, Karitas, Justicia, Prudentia, Fortitude, Temperantia. Some however interpret them, FranciscuS KorradinI Pictor FeciT, which would make the medal not the work of Pisano, but of Francesco Corradini of Modena, a medallist of whom little is known." 1881 King's Library Catalogue.

Obverse Description

Bust of Pisano in embroidered coat, wearing a high berretta facing left; around, . PISANVS . PICTOR .

Reverse Description

Within a laurel-wreath in two lines, .F . S . K . I . / P . F . T .

Edge Description

Plain

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