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Two metallic discs, one shows a man in profile and the other shows a stylized sunrise over the earth.

The disc on the left shows a meticulous depiction of a man in profile with lots of long curling hair, a slightly hooked nose, and layered draped clothing. Behind his head are letters that seem to spell out “L I V I V S” and in front of his face the words say “ODESC-S-R-E-G”. The disc on the right shows a sun with a face rising over the curve of the earth, upon which Italy is depicted like a very large continent. Lines indicating the rays of the sun radiate out towards the words “NON NOVVS SED NOVITER”.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1996.220
People
Giovanni Martino Hamerani, Italian (1649 - 1705)
Title
Livio I Odescalchi (1652-1713)
Classification
Medals and Medallions
Work Type
medal
Date
1689
Culture
Italian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/226375

Location

Location
Level 2, Room 2340, European and American Art, 17th–19th century, The Silver Cabinet: Art and Ritual, 1600–1850
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silvered bronze
Dimensions
6.3 cm diam. x 0.4 cm depth (2 1/2 x 3/16 in.)
79.49 g
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: on shoulder: HAMERANVS / 1689
  • inscription: obverse, around perimeter: LIVIVS ODESC. S. R. E. G. [=Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Camerarius]
  • inscription: reverse, around perimeter: NON NOVVS SED NOVITER [= not new but newly discovered]

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Cyril Humphris, London?, Sold to HUAM at Sotheby's sale, 1996. The work was no. 145 in the sale.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Edward W. Forbes, by exchange
Accession Year
1996
Object Number
1996.220
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Odescalchi in right profile, with flowing hair and wearing cuirass with demon clasp and mantle; reverse: sun with human face, rising over the earth, Italy prominent in view. Obverse is higher relief than reverse.
From curatorial meeting form: Silvered bronze medal of Livio I Odescalchi, Duke of Bracciano, on the occasion of his appointment as commander of the papal armies.

Publication History

  • Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Ivan Gaskell, Sara Schechner, and Sarah Anne Carter, Tangible Things: Making History through Objects, Oxford University Press (NY) (New York, 2015), pp. 75-76, repr. p. 76 as fig. 62

Exhibition History

  • Tangible Things, The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Cambridge, 01/24/2011 - 05/29/2011
  • 32Q: 2340 Cabinet Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/25/2019 - 03/01/2025

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu