Medal: Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga 1442 - 1450

This 15th-century bronze medal, created by the renowned Italian artist Pisanello, depicts Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga, the ruler of Mantua. The medal, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcases Pisanello's mastery of the Renaissance portrait style, evident in the detailed rendering of Gonzaga's features and the inscription surrounding the image. The inscription identifies Gonzaga as "Captain and Leader of the Army," revealing his military leadership. This medal, a testament to Pisanello's artistic skill, exemplifies the artistic trends of the early Renaissance, specifically its focus on realism and the celebration of individual achievement.