Alexander VIII (Pietro Ottoboni,1610–91, Pope 1689–91) 1700

This is a portrait medal of Alexander VIII, or Pietro Ottoboni, made by Ferdinand de Saint Urbain. The circular form of the medal encloses a profile bust, with a Latin inscription running around its edge. The low relief transforms metal into a textured surface, capturing the likeness of the Pope with a formal style. The composition is cleverly structured. The profile dominates the visual field, yet the inscription, carefully placed, frames and defines the central image. Saint Urbain uses the language of the time to assert power and authority. The details in the Pope's attire, from the folds of his garments to the intricate patterns, add visual richness but also denote status. The medal’s circular shape isn’t merely decorative; it functions as a symbolic enclosure, containing and controlling the image of papal authority. It emphasizes the power encapsulated in this small, reproducible object. The play between the contained image and its symbolic weight invites ongoing interpretation.