Summary

Copy of a medal depicting Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. The original medal by the artist Pompeo Leoni was cast before 1559 (probably in 1554) in Lombardy. This two piece electrotype copy was made circa 1881 by Robert Ready. This two piece electrotype copy was made circa 1881 at British Museum by Robert Ready from a cast bronze medal from the collection of George III in the museum's collection (Reg. G3,FerrM.37). The original medal was part of a display in the King's Library. The electrotype was acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria in the late 1880s and displayed. It was transferred to the Science Museum of Victoria in 1976.

Obverse Description

Bust of Ercole facing left, bearded, wearing an ornamented cuirass, a jewel suspended from a ribon around his neck, and a fringed mantle knotted at the left shoulder; around, HERCVLES ESTENSIS II FERR DVX IIII; in small lettering below the end of the main legend, the artist's name, POMPEIVS

Reverse Description

Patience, draped and veiled, with arms crossed, chained by the left ankle to a rock, on which stands an urn surmounted by an armillary sphere. Liquid from the spout of the urn falls onto the chain; at left, a landscape; around, .SVPERANDA OMNIS FORTVNA ((translation: All fate is to be overcome)

Edge Description

Plain

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