Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence and Siena 1557 - 1569

This portrait of Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence and Siena, was made sometime in the 1500s by Pietro Paolo Galeotti, using a process known as striking – a means of impressing a design into metal using a die. The material itself, likely bronze or perhaps silver, has a subtle sheen and captures the duke's likeness in impressive detail, complete with his formidable beard and ornate armor. The incised lettering around the portrait's perimeter would have required a highly skilled hand. The entire object speaks volumes about the ruler's self-regard and desire for immortalization. But such an object also throws light on labor and class. The striking of medals like this was a specialized craft, tied to the rise of powerful dynasties like the Medici. This seemingly small object thus allows us to consider the political economy of Renaissance Italy. This medal’s importance lies not just in its artistic merit but in its connection to broader social issues.