Alfonso V of Aragon, 1396-1458, King of Naples and Sicily 1443 [obverse] c. 1458

Editor: So, this medal shows "Alfonso V of Aragon," made around 1458 by Cristoforo di Geremia. It's made of metal and shows the king in relief. I’m struck by how official it feels, yet the portrait itself is so... unflattering. It really captures a distinct, maybe even severe, personality. What can you tell me about its function or impact? Art Historian: Well, these portrait medals emerged during the Renaissance as a form of propaganda and a declaration of power. How do you think the choice to immortalize Alfonso in metal rather than paint might affect its perception and intended audience? Editor: I guess it's more permanent and portable. I can see how multiples could spread his image and achievements pretty widely, like currency but with artistry. What kind of "politics of imagery," if any, would come into play with a piece like this? Art Historian: Exactly. The medal serves as a tool of self-representation by Alfonso, which shaped how his contemporaries, and we today, understand his reign. The images within the main image may communicate victories. Even this somewhat severe portrayal may signal strength, reinforcing his authority through the association of austerity with power. The carefully chosen Latin inscription, what does that communicate to you about its intended sphere of influence? Editor: Hmmm… That it’s speaking to a well-educated, probably ruling-class audience that can read Latin, someone capable of understanding it and, importantly, someone that Alfonso wishes to impress? Art Historian: Precisely! It's a visual and textual message crafted to cultivate a certain image of Alfonso within a specific societal echelon. This allows Alfonso to promote himself using classical associations that might not reach a commoner through something such as public art. Did approaching this object through a lens of propaganda change your initial feelings toward the medal? Editor: Definitely. It’s less about a pure representation of the king and more about how he wanted to be seen. I never thought about something as small as a coin being a complex tool for influencing society. Art Historian: Indeed. By examining such art objects we can unlock an entire history of politics, influence, and cultural exchange.