Jupiter [obverse] c. 15th century

This bronze medal of Jupiter was created by Master IO.F.F. in Italy, sometime between 1404 and 1528. The image is a testament to the Renaissance revival of classical antiquity. We see Jupiter, king of the gods, rendered in profile with carefully detailed curls of hair and beard. This idealized portrait recalls ancient Roman coins and busts. The medal itself, as a portable object, reflects the Renaissance humanist interest in collecting and studying classical artifacts. Wealthy patrons commissioned such medals to celebrate their own status and erudition. The production of medals was often connected to the courts, academies, and intellectual circles of the time. Understanding this medal involves research into the artist, the patron, and the cultural context of Renaissance Italy. By exploring archival documents, we can better understand the medal’s function and meaning within its specific historical moment, and the social aspirations that underpinned its creation.