Paul IV (Gian Pietro Carafa, 1476-1559), Pope 1555 [obverse] 1556

This is a bronze medal portraying Pope Paul IV, crafted by Giovanni Antonio de' Rossi in the 16th century. The profile is encircled by his name and title, a convention echoing ancient Roman coins, thus linking papal authority to imperial power. Consider the patriarchal beard, a symbol of wisdom and authority, reminiscent of depictions of ancient philosophers and prophets. Think back to Michelangelo's Moses, and you see how such imagery was revived during the Renaissance to convey gravitas. Yet, the beard has also been a signifier of rebellion, as seen among certain groups challenging established norms. It carries a complex, shifting significance through history. This image, therefore, taps into a deep well of collective memory, where power, authority, and even dissent are visually intertwined, provoking subconscious associations and emotional responses in the viewer. It is a symbol ever in flux.