Ship and Fortified City [reverse]

Art Historical Context

Behold the reverse side of an exquisite medal by Antonio Francesco Selvi a prominent 18th-century Italianaver and medalist from, crafted around the 1740s. Titled *Ship and Fortified Cityreverse]*, this lead sculpture measures a modest 8.6 cm in diameter yet carries a substantial gross weight of 180.16 grams, underscoring the density of its material. Housed in the National Gallery Art's CSD Department as a gift from Lisa and Leonard Baskin, exemplifies the refined art of medal-making during Italy's Rococo transition. The intricate relief captures a majestic ship navigating toward a fortified city, evoking themes of exploration, trade, or naval power—common motifs in commemorative medals of the era. Selvi's mastery shines in the precise engraving, where lead's malleability allowed for detailed modeling before potential casting in bronze or silver. Though lead was atypical for finished works, it served as an ideal medium for trials, highlighting the technical innovation in small-scale sculpture. With its 12:00 axis orientation, this piece invites close inspection, revealing the cultural prestige of medals as portable art objects among Europe's elite. A testament to Selvi's legacy, it bridges artistic virtuosity and historical narrative in a palm-sized marvel.

About the Artist

Antonio Francesco Selvi · 1679–1755

Antonio Francesco Selvi (1679–1753) was a prominent Florentine sculptor and medallist whose exquisite bronze portraits captured the elegance of late Baroque Italy. Little is known of his early life before he arrived in Florence in 1698, but he quickly established himself in the city's vibrant artistic scene by studying under Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi, the renowned bronze-worker, sculptor, medalli...