Marx Rechlinger, died 1532, Patrician of Nuremberg 

Matthes Gebel created this medal of Marx Rechlinger, a Nuremberg patrician, in the 16th century. This small metal object is a window into the social and political world of the Renaissance. The medal, with its classical profile portrait and Latin inscription, speaks to the cultural aspirations of the Nuremberg elite. It demonstrates the sitter’s embrace of humanist values, connecting him to a broader intellectual movement that was transforming European society. The format recalls ancient Roman coins, thus associating Rechlinger with the power and prestige of the classical world. Nuremberg was a center of artistic innovation and commerce, with a strong patrician class that dominated its political and economic life. These families were patrons of the arts, commissioning works that reflected their status and values. To understand the medal fully, we need to research Nuremberg’s history, its social structure, and the role of portraiture in constructing identity. Through careful study, the medal offers insights into the complex interplay of art, power, and social identity in the Renaissance.