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Dr. Valentiner -2-

.....He wears a

"helmet surmounted by a dragon.  His armor is richly carved.  On the breast-plate is a winged gorgon's head and an ornamentation of palmetto leaves.  On the right shoulder, a design representing a sea-god and nymph.  Over his left shoulder is draped a [[mantle?]]."

Height:  22-1/2"
Width:   14-1/2"

It has also been reproduced in certain papers of minor interest.

As regards pedigree, there is no other but Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc., and Mrs. Herbert N. Straus.

Should you want any further data, I am of course, entirely at your disposal.

As regards the charming little BRONZE STATUETTE, representing a PUTTO WITH DOLPHIN, which I also asked for, at your request, besides the interesting study you kindly wrote about it in August 1926, in which you said it "has been influenced by Donatello, but....." that it "comes even nearer to Luca della Robbia", I have a few lines from Prof. Dr. Frida Schottmuller calling it "arbeit von Donatello", and a small study by Dr. Planiscig who calls it "Donatello werkstatt".  It measures 9-1/4" in height.
A photograph of this bronze is enclosed.  Call Mrs. H. N. Straus. 

Now, as regards our bas-relief which represents the "DUKE OF URBINO" by Francesco LAURANA, of which I handed you a photograph here in New York, I was told by the intermediaries through whom I purchased it that it had been the property of Frau Nellite von Krumhaar, Berlin.

I understand that it was auctioned in Vienna and in fact, it is with this information that this bas-relief is mentioned in the"Catalogue of Italian Sculpture, Victoria and Albert Museum" by Eric Maclagan and Margaret H. Longhurst, London 1932 - Text, page 124.

As you will recall, you wrote a lengthy study on it, stating that you consider it "an authentic characteristic work by Francesco Laurana" adding at the end, that it was "very likely executed between 1474 and 1477 when Laurana worked in Urbino".  Dr. L. Planiscig writes exactly along the same lines.

Dimensions - diameter, 19-5/8".

t.s.v.p...............

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-14 12:40:37 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-15 03:03:04