Gregory XVI (Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, 1765-1846), Pope 1830 [obverse] 1831

This bronze medal portraying Pope Gregory XVI was created by Giuseppe Cerbara in 1831, shortly after Gregory’s ascension to the papacy. Cerbara’s depiction of Gregory is interesting because it shows him absorbed in reading. This intimate portrayal offers a glimpse into the intellectual life of a man who was, before becoming Pope, a scholar and a cardinal deeply involved in theological debates. The choice to show him with a book in hand highlights his identity as a man of learning. Yet, this image also participates in the construction of papal authority. Gregory’s solemn expression and the weightiness of the papal garments remind us of his spiritual and political power. The inscription around the edge, “Gregory XVI, Great Pontiff, Humble Successor,” reinforces these dual aspects of authority and humility. This medal strikes a delicate balance between the personal and the public, the intellectual and the spiritual, inviting us to consider the complex roles that identity plays in the shaping of historical figures.