Marin Le Pigny 1621

This bronze portrait medallion of Marin Le Pigny was made by Pierre Robinet, likely in France during the 17th century. The inscription circling Le Pigny's profile tells us something of his life and status as a royal councilor, canon, archdeacon, and doctor. The choice to immortalize Le Pigny in bronze speaks to the cultural value placed on lasting materials and the desire to preserve his memory for posterity. This wasn't an era of mass media, of course; portraiture served an important function in visualizing social status. The institutional church loomed large in the political and cultural landscape of the time. The image shows a clear hierarchy and power structure. As art historians, we look to archival sources, genealogical records, and period documents to understand the world in which this medallion was created and what it meant to those who commissioned, created, and viewed it. The meaning of art is not fixed, but evolves along with the culture and institutions that shape it.