Urban VIII (Pope 1623–44) 1638

This 1638 silver medal by Gasparo Mola, depicting Pope Urban VIII in profile, is a fine example of Renaissance portraiture. The inscription around the rim identifies the Pope's name and title. Mola, a prominent artist of the early Baroque era, created this small-scale portrait of the prominent political and religious figure, demonstrating the artist's meticulous skill in capturing likeness and detail. The medal, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the artistic practices and cultural values of the time.