Summary

Copy of a medal of Galileo Galilei, aged 50. The original medal by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Foggini (1652-1725) in about 1680. This uniface electrotype copy made circa 1881 by Robert Ready. The original "medal was commissioned by Vincenzo Viviani, a pupil of Galileo and later a famous geometrician and physicist. It seems likely to have been made in 1680 when Viviani commissioned Foggini to make a marble bust of Galileo. The bust and medallic portrait are very similar, hence the attribution of the medal to Foggini and, according to Vannel/Toderi, it is Foggini's only medal. " Source: http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/italian-medals-221-c-249d903ac6

This uniface electrotype is copper plated and toned, it was taken from a two-sided cast copper medal that has not been traced.

Obverse Description

Draped of Galaleo bust facing right; around, GALILEVS . LYNSEVS .; on bust truncation, AETIT . L .

Reverse Description

Plain

Edge Description

Plain

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