Francesco I Sforza, 1401-1466, 4th Duke of Milan 1450 [obverse]

Gianfrancesco Enzola

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a relief portrait of a man in profile, facing to the right. The subject has a prominent nose and chin, and his hair appears to be styled in a short, curled fashion with a small section tied back behind his head. He is depicted wearing a garment with a patterned collar. The medallion is crafted from a material that appears bronze-like, giving it a metallic brown color with some areas showing darker patination. The outer edge of the medallion contains an inscribed text around the perimeter, and there is a small hole near the top. This sculpture is detailed in its depiction of facial and clothing features and gives an impression of being an ancient or historical object.