Abraham Ortelius 1598

This 1598 bronze medal by Jacques Jonghelinck features a portrait of Abraham Ortelius, a renowned cartographer, on one side, and a depiction of a pelican feeding its young with its own blood on the other. The pelican was a common symbol of self-sacrifice, reflecting Ortelius’ dedication to his work. The small, 3.5 cm diameter medal was likely a commemorative piece, honoring Ortelius' significant contribution to the field of cartography.