Jean d'Anjou, 1426-1470, Duke of Calabria and Lorraine [obverse] 1464

This bronze portrait medal of Jean d'Anjou, Duke of Calabria and Lorraine, was created by Francesco Laurana in the 15th century. Medals like these were made using a lost-wax casting process, allowing for precise detail. The material itself, bronze, speaks to a society valuing durability and prestige, reflecting the Duke's status. Laurana has carefully considered bronze's inherent qualities, using its capacity for fine detail to capture the Duke’s likeness and inscription. The making of this medal involved specialized skills. Laurana was not only an artist but a craftsman, deeply engaged with the material and its potential. The creation of such an object speaks to the social and economic structures of the time, where skilled labor and patronage converged. By appreciating the processes and materials involved, we move beyond conventional art history, and towards a broader understanding of the medal's cultural and historical significance.