Geldmuseum, Utrecht

ASPASIOS
ASPASIOS (Greek). An intaglio in the Vienna Museum, signed by this artist, reproduces the bust of the Athena Parthenos of Pheidias. From this beautiful copy, the famous statue of the great master can be reconstituted ; it has preserved to us faithfully the features of that goddess, as Pheidias conceived them. The only two other gems that may be attributed with any certainty to this skilful engraver are a Hermes of Di...

ASTOR, J. DIEGO DE
ASTOR, J. DIEGO DE (Spanish). Medallist and Engraver on copper who worked in Spain during the early portion of the seventeenth century. He was born at Toledo, and learnt drawing under the celebrated painter Dom. Theotocopuli, surnamed El Greco. In 1609 Philippe III. gave Astor an appointment at the Segovia Mint, a post which was continued to his son by Philip IV. in 1633. Three years later, in 1636, he was called to ...

ATHENION
ATHENION (Greek). Gem-engraver who probably worked at the court of Eumenes II. (197-159). His signature A?HNI?N appears in relief on a cameo in onyx of the Museum at Naples showing Zeus in quadriga, crushing the serpent-legged Giants. Prof. Furtwaengler was the first to draw attention to the similarity of work and style between this cameo and the fine bas-relief which adorns the Altar of the Giants at Pergamum. M. Ba...

AUGER, JACQUES
AUGER, JACQUES (French). Goldsmith and Coin-engraver of Bourges ; was entrusted with the execution of a new seal in silver for the Cathedral of St. Etienne. In 1564 he cut another with the arms of the city, and again in 1575 one for the Chapter House, where he represented Lescadius, Prefect of Gaul, giving refuge to St. Ursinus, apostle of Berry. The artist received in 1577 the sum of 15 livres 17 sous. According to ...