Wenzel Jamnitzer, 1508-1585, Goldsmith 1568

This silver medal portraying Wenzel Jamnitzer was created by Valentin Maler during the late 16th century, a period defined by the Renaissance and its emphasis on individualism. The medal offers us a window into the hierarchical structures of the time. Jamnitzer, a celebrated goldsmith, is immortalized here. In contrast, Maler, who was probably of a lower social status, is now largely unknown. The detailed rendering of Jamnitzer’s features and attire reflects the importance of portraying status and identity during that era. Look at the beard, for instance, an intentional symbol of wisdom, experience, and masculinity. This medal doesn’t just depict an individual; it encapsulates the Renaissance’s evolving notions of self, success, and the ways in which certain identities were elevated and preserved through art. It invites us to consider whose stories are told, and how history remembers certain figures while others fade into obscurity.