Conrad Peutinger, 1465-1547, Humanist and Antiquarian
1401 to 1500
Medium
lead
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 8.72 cm (3 7/16 in.) gross weight: 191.72 gr (0.423 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1957.14.1316
Art Historical Context
This lead medal by Hans Schwarz portrays Conrad Peutinger (1465–1547), a prominent German humanist, lawyer, and antiquarian renowned for his scholarly collections of Roman inscriptions and classical texts. Created sometime in the fifteenth century, the circular relief captures Peutinger’s likeness in profile, a format that allowed artists to convey both personal identity and intellectual stature. Such portraits served as portable tributes, celebrating the sitter’s contributions to the revival of ancient learning during the early Renaissance. Hans Schwarz, active in southern Germany, specializ...