Alfonso IV d'Este c. 1670

This is a silver medal depicting Alfonso IV d'Este, attributed to Elia Tieso. The profile portrait, with its flowing locks and regal bearing, recalls the classical tradition of commemorative portraiture, harking back to ancient Roman coins that celebrated emperors and their lineage. Consider the laurel wreath, a symbol of triumph and honor. Though not physically present here, its essence is evoked through the inscription that frames Alfonso, much like the inscriptions that circled the heads of Roman emperors. The gesture is reminiscent of similar wreaths adorning Apollo, linking Alfonso to the sun god's associations with culture and enlightenment. In the Renaissance, we see its revival, adorning figures like Dante, a symbol of poetic and intellectual achievement. This emblem, deeply embedded in the collective subconscious, continues to resonate, illustrating how cultural memory shapes the perception of power and prestige. It’s a dance of symbols across time.