Unicorn and Dove [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal reverse, titled "Unicorn and Dove," was created around 1486 by the Florentine artist Niccolò Fiorentino. Measuring just over 7.5 centimeters in diameter, the late cast reflects the refined techniques of Renaissance medallic sculpture, where artists used bronze to produce durable, portable works that combined portraiture with symbolic designs. Fiorentino’s contributions helped elevate medals as a distinctive art form in 15th-century Italy. The imagery of a unicorn paired with a dove on the reverse would have complemented a portrait on the obverse, a standard format for commemorative pieces of the era. These objects often served to honor individuals or mark significant events, blending classical influences with personal or allegorical meaning. Now part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art, the medal invites viewers to appreciate the intimate scale and enduring craftsmanship of Renaissance sculpture.