Sebastian Liegsalz (Ligsalz), 1483-1534, Munich Patrician 1527

Friedrich Hagenauer created this medal of Sebastian Liegsalz, a Munich patrician, in the 16th century. Liegsalz's stern profile and patrician garments reflect the rigid social hierarchies of Renaissance Munich. Hagenauer, an artist active during the Reformation, captures the complex negotiation of identity through portraiture. The crisp, metallic medium embodies a certain emotional restraint but consider how this aesthetic choice interacts with Liegsalz's social standing. The medal presents Liegsalz as a figure of authority, but perhaps also vulnerability. Hagenauer’s portraits often walked the line between idealizing their subjects and revealing something more human. What narratives of power and individuality can be found in this piece? Consider the historical weight of this object as a marker of identity, class, and personal history.