Maximiliaan, aartshertog van Oostenrijk en Maria, hertogin van Bourgondie 1479

This bronze medal portraying Maximiliaan, Archduke of Austria, and Maria, Duchess of Burgundy, was made by Giovanni di Candida around 1500. It is a cast object, likely made using the lost wax technique. Molten bronze was poured into a mold, itself created from a wax model. Consider the labor involved in this process: not only the skill of the artist, but also the work of those who mined and refined the metal, and prepared the equipment for Candida’s use. The inherent qualities of the bronze influence the final appearance. Its weight and metallic sheen convey a sense of permanence and value. The finely detailed relief, achieved through careful carving of the wax model, speaks to the artist's technical mastery and to the power of the individuals represented. By focusing on the materials, making, and context, we can understand the full meaning of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.