Baldassare Castiglione, gezant bij de paus 1526

This small bronze medal depicts Baldassare Castiglione, an ambassador to the Pope. Though the artist is unknown, it gives us some fascinating insights into Renaissance culture and the role of craftsmanship. The medal was likely made through a process of casting, where molten bronze was poured into a mold. This would have been a skilled process, requiring expertise in metalworking and sculpture. Notice how the artist has captured Castiglione's likeness in profile on one side, and a symbolic scene on the other. The very small scale of the object intensifies our awareness of the work involved. Medals like these were often commissioned to commemorate important people or events, serving as portable symbols of status and power. But this one also has a haptic quality; it begs to be held and turned over in the hand. It is a reminder that even seemingly small objects can carry significant cultural and artistic weight. When we examine the material, the making, and the context of this piece, we can move beyond traditional distinctions between art and craft.