Marc Antonio Memmo, Doge of Venice (1546?–1615, doge 1612–15) 1612

This bronze medal depicting Marc Antonio Memmo, Doge of Venice, was created by Guillaume Dupré around the early 17th century. Venice, during this period, was a republic, and the Doge was its elected head of state, a symbol of Venetian independence and power. The medal itself, a portable object, speaks to the growing importance of individual fame and the rise of portraiture as a means of celebrating political figures. Notice the inscription surrounding Memmo's profile. It boldly proclaims his title and connection to Venice, reinforcing the tight relationship between the man and the city-state. Dupré's choice of bronze lends the portrait a sense of permanence and authority, while the sharp details capture Memmo's features and elaborate garments. Art historians studying this piece would consider the history of Venetian politics, the biography of Doge Memmo, and the artistic trends of the time to fully understand its social and cultural significance. The medal is a reminder that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. It reflects the social and institutional forces of its time.