Emblem of Authority [reverse] 1447

Matteo de' Pasti created this bronze medal, known as "Emblem of Authority," in fifteenth-century Italy. The iconography of such medals speaks to the social and political role of imagery at the time, particularly in relation to power and authority. The medal's imagery, with its symbolic emblems and Latin inscriptions, is a deliberate attempt to create meaning and project an image of power. Renaissance Italy was a patchwork of city-states, each vying for influence, and art became a crucial tool in asserting dominance. Medals like this, often commissioned by rulers or high-ranking officials, served as propaganda, circulating idealized images and reinforcing social hierarchies. The choice of bronze as a medium, the style of lettering, and the classical references all reflect a conscious effort to align the patron with the cultural prestige of ancient Rome. To fully understand this medal, we would need to delve into the archives and libraries of fifteenth-century Italy, examining the specific context in which it was created and circulated, and what the iconography meant to its contemporary audience.