Medal 1543 - 1544

This silver medal was created by Friedrich Hagenauer around the early to mid-16th century. What strikes you immediately is the face in profile—a study in contrasts with its deeply etched lines set against the medal's smooth, reflective surface. The subject is adorned with a papal tiara. Observe how Hagenauer uses line and form to convey power and authority. Yet, this representation seems to simultaneously undercut this authority through exaggerated features. The compressed space of the medal challenges the traditional Renaissance ideals of harmony, proportion and balance. The very act of compressing such a potent figure onto a small disc raises questions about the nature of representation and the diffusion of power. Consider this medal not just as a portrait, but as a complex semiotic device where form and content collide. It invites us to consider how the artist skillfully manipulates the visual language of power, prompting continuous interpretations and a deeper dialogue about the structures that shape our perceptions.