Ippolito II d'Este, 1509-1572, Son of Alfonso I d'Este, Cardinal 1538 1547 - 1572

Giovan Federico Bonzagni crafted this bronze portrait medal of Ippolito II d'Este in the 16th century, an object far removed from painting or sculpture. The appeal of medals resides in their intricate making; processes such as casting and chasing result in a beautiful object. Bonzagni would have used the lost-wax casting method, a technique involving creating a wax model, encasing it in clay, melting out the wax, and then pouring molten bronze into the resulting mold. The material itself—bronze—speaks volumes, requiring mining, smelting, and skilled handling, reflecting the social and economic investment in its creation. The text, the details of Ippolito's garments, and the texture of his beard, all celebrate the artistry and handwork involved. Medals like these blur the lines between art, craft, and industrial production. By appreciating the materials, the making, and the context, we can understand the full meaning of this artwork.