Filippo de' Medici, Archbishop of Pisa, 1462-1474 [obverse] c. 1468 - 1469

Bertoldo di Giovanni cast this bronze medal of Filippo de’ Medici, Archbishop of Pisa, in Florence, sometime between 1462 and 1474. The Renaissance saw a revival of the Roman tradition of portrait medals, and this example reflects the values of the Florentine elite. The laurel wreath surrounding Filippo’s profile imitates those worn by Roman emperors, associating him with power and success. The inscription identifies him as a member of the Medici family, who dominated Florentine politics and culture. As Archbishop of Pisa, Filippo held a key religious post. The medal thus speaks to the intertwining of family, politics, and religion in Renaissance Florence. This object would have served as a status symbol but also, perhaps, as a commentary on the Medici family’s influence within the church. Art historians study such objects using genealogical records and other archival material to better understand the social dynamics of artistic patronage. We can view this portrait medal as a reflection of, and a contribution to, the ongoing negotiation of power and status in Florence.