Viglius van Aytta of Zuichem, 1507-1577, Lawyer and Humanist [obverse] 1568

Jacques Jonghelinck cast this bronze medal in 1562, immortalizing Viglius van Aytta, a lawyer and humanist. The profile, sharp and resolute, embodies the virtues of its subject. The inscription creates a kind of frame. Yet, consider the profile portrait itself. From ancient coins to Renaissance paintings, the profile has symbolized power and authority. We see echoes of Roman emperors in Viglius' stern gaze, a deliberate invocation of classical ideals. This echoes through time, a visual shorthand for leadership, seen in medals and monuments across centuries. But the emotional landscape is more complex. The rigid profile also suggests a mask, a carefully constructed persona. Perhaps this reveals the tensions inherent in power, the weight of responsibility borne by those in high office. The portrait becomes a stage, where the drama of human ambition plays out against the backdrop of history. These symbols resurface and evolve, bearing new meanings with each passing era.