Borgia Arms with Tiara [reverse] 1455 - 1458

Editor: We’re looking at "Borgia Arms with Tiara", a bronze relief by Andrea Guacialoti from around 1455. It’s got this beautiful, warm tone to it, and the details are surprisingly crisp for a sculpture of this age. It gives off a real sense of authority, what do you make of it? Curator: Ah, the Borgias! Just saying the name conjures whispers and dramatic storylines. This isn’t just a pretty piece of bronze; it’s a carefully constructed statement. The tiara, those papal crossed keys, and, of course, the Borgia bull—each element practically shouts power. For me, this medal encapsulates the Renaissance fascination with both classical forms and self-promotion. Can you feel that tension? The weight of legacy practically radiates from it. Editor: Legacy is right! It’s definitely not subtle, is it? All those symbols packed into one little circle… Do you think that was typical of the time, or were the Borgias known for being particularly extra? Curator: Well, darling, subtlety wasn't exactly their calling card, was it? Most families would have had coats of arms, of course. In a sense, the medal is pure PR – an early version of branding. It tells you who they are, where they come from, and what they want you to think of them: glorious! I imagine these would have been gifted strategically. How fascinating to wonder where they all ended up. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it as a piece of PR, but that makes perfect sense. It’s like a very fancy business card! Curator: Exactly! Only instead of a phone number, you get papal authority and family pedigree. The texture here tells a tale as well—the roughness speaks to both the time that's passed and, well, the somewhat rough tactics of the family itself! It reminds me how art always ends up entwined with human ambitions. Editor: So much more to it than just a pretty circle of bronze. I will never look at a coin the same way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Never underestimate what even the smallest artwork can say about humanity.