Melchior Pfinzing, 1481-1535, Provost of Saint Sebald's in Nuremberg [obverse] 1519

This bronze medal depicting Melchior Pfinzing was crafted by Hans Schwarz around the early 16th century. Notice the circular form and the relief, creating depth within a confined space. The profile portrait is meticulously detailed, from the texture of the hat to the folds of the clothing. Schwarz uses the limited space to investigate Renaissance portraiture conventions, emphasizing humanism's concern with individuality. The inscription, carefully placed around the portrait, is more than a label; it frames the image, contributing to the overall composition. The lines of the text contrast with the rounded forms of Pfinzing's face and attire, creating a visual tension. The medal challenges fixed meanings. It asks how we memorialize individuals and how the materiality of an object, like bronze, can shape our perception of power and identity. The circular form suggests wholeness, while the inscription hints at the complexities of identity within a specific historical context. This piece functions as a meditation on representation, memory, and the enduring power of art.