Schilder Antonius Moor 1550

This bronze medal was crafted by Jacques Jonghelinck, around the 16th century. It depicts Antonius Moor, identified by the inscription along the edge. The profile portrait, a prevalent form since antiquity, evokes the Roman tradition of commemorating individuals through coinage and portraiture. The act of portraying someone in profile suggests not just a record of their likeness but also an attempt to immortalize them. The tradition of profile portraits goes back to ancient coins, where emperors were depicted, and then reappears in Renaissance painting and sculpture. It is a fascinating look into how societies choose to remember figures of importance. These medals, much like the ancient coins, are a reminder of our enduring quest to leave a mark on time, to ensure that neither we nor our heroes are forgotten.