Lodovico Gonzaga III (1414-1478) c. 1902

Curator: This bronze medal, dating from the 15th century, depicts Lodovico Gonzaga III, ruler of Mantua. It's a powerful Renaissance portrait. Editor: The patina gives it such warmth. Notice the crisp profile on one side, contrasted with the equestrian scene on the other, a kind of visual duality. Curator: Absolutely. The equestrian image evokes the classical imagery of Roman emperors, associating Gonzaga with power, triumph, and military prowess. Editor: And the careful arrangement of the text. It’s not merely descriptive; the lettering itself becomes part of the visual order, framing and reinforcing the images. Curator: The sun and flower symbols behind the rider hint at prosperity and Gonzaga's patronage of arts and agriculture. They tie into broader humanist ideals. Editor: There's a compelling tension between the individual portrait and the larger-than-life symbolism. One captures a man; the other creates a myth. Curator: These medals were part of creating and controlling reputation. Looking at it this way, its symbolic value is greater than its monetary one. Editor: Seeing it in person, you become aware of the artist's ability to play with scale, meaning, and material so skillfully.