Leo XII (Annibale della Genga, 1760-1829), Pope 1823 [obverse] 1825

This bronze medal presents us with a profile of Pope Leo the Twelfth, crafted by Giuseppe Girometti. Encircling his image, the inscription "Leo XII Pont Max Anno III" proclaims his papal authority in the third year of his reign. Note the intricate details of his papal attire, symbols of religious power and tradition. The cape is adorned with stylized images of eagles, possibly alluding to Saint John the Evangelist, whose symbol is the eagle, a symbol frequently associated with enlightenment. We see this motif echoed throughout history, from Roman imperial standards to Renaissance emblems of power. Consider the psychological weight these symbols carry. They are not merely decorative; they are potent visual cues that tap into a collective memory, evoking notions of divine authority. They represent the non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing and evolving across different historical contexts.