Gabriele Fiamma, 1533-1585, Abbot-General of the Augustinian Congregation 1578 [obverse] 1578

Editor: Here we have a bronze medal from 1578, created by Giovanni Battista Cambio, known as Bombarda. It's called "Gabriele Fiamma, 1533-1585, Abbot-General of the Augustinian Congregation 1578." I find the juxtaposition of the abbot with the skull quite striking. What do you see in this piece, looking at it formally? Curator: Indeed. Focus first on the inscription, 'MEMINISSE VIVABIT', bordering the composition. It encases the scene, becoming almost architectural. Then examine how the texture differentiates Fiamma's robe from the smoother surface of his face. Notice the skull placed deliberately in close proximity to the Abbot. How do you see those elements relating? Editor: I guess I see a dialogue between life and death through surface and placement. The robe is so heavily worked, contrasting against the smooth face, which gives an impression of lived experience but temporality when paired with the skull. It’s unsettling but also very intentional. Curator: Precisely. The formal contrasts – texture, light, and shadow - underpin the work’s philosophical meaning. See how the curve of the skull's cranium echoes the overall circular shape, tightening the bond. Do you find that bond morbid or contemplative? Editor: Contemplative, I think. The high relief brings everything into a focused visual experience, almost forcing one to dwell on mortality and accomplishment. Curator: Well said. It's an object designed for concentrated looking, to consider these qualities within a rigid structure. We are to confront texture, contrast, and inscription within that formal space. A perfect harmony exists between visual design and object philosophy. Editor: This has taught me a lot about examining formal artistic features to decipher art on a deeper level.