Argentina Pallavicini, died 1550, Wife of Guido Rangoni, Poetess and Botanist after 1526

Antonio Vicentino made this bronze portrait medal of Argentina Pallavicini around 1550. Medals like these were typically cast using the lost-wax process, and then finished with hand tools like chisels and files. Notice the crispness of the lettering around the rim, achieved through a process of meticulous labor. Bronze was a popular choice because it allowed for fine detail and had a pleasingly weighty feel. In Renaissance Italy, medals were collected and displayed as symbols of status and learning. But beyond mere display, this object immortalizes Argentina Pallavicini, not just as the wife of Guido Rangoni, but as a poetess and botanist in her own right. Considering the material and the care taken in its production allows us to think about the value that society placed on intellectual pursuits at the time. The medal, then, is more than a portrait; it's a testament to the cultural values of the Renaissance, as well as the ongoing effort to recognize women’s contributions to intellectual life.