Francesco Gonzaga Giving Alms [reverse] c. 1484 - 1506

This bronze medal, "Francesco Gonzaga Giving Alms", was created by the Italian Renaissance artist Gian Marco Cavalli between 1484 and 1506. The medal depicts Francesco Gonzaga, the ruler of Mantua, offering alms to a beggar. This small, detailed artwork is a classic example of the Renaissance interest in portraiture and the idealized depiction of virtue. Cavalli's medal, a testament to the patronage of the Gonzaga family, exemplifies the artistic styles prevalent during the Italian Renaissance.