Kardinaal Cristoforo Madruzzo, bisschop van Trente en Brixen 1544

This bronze medal represents Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo, Bishop of Trente en Brixen, and was made by an anonymous artist. The process of creating this medal starts with an idea transformed into a tangible object through skilled labor. The artist, deeply involved in the manipulation of material, employed techniques such as casting, chiseling, and engraving. Molten bronze was poured into a mold, allowed to cool, and then meticulously worked to achieve its final form. The very texture and weight of the bronze communicate a sense of substance and permanence. Metalworking has always been deeply embedded in social life and has histories of creative practices and aesthetics that stretch far beyond the realm of fine art. The creation of medals like this reflects the labor and politics of its time, revealing the artist’s understanding of both material and societal values. By appreciating this medal through its material and making, we can grasp a richer sense of its cultural significance.