William Pitt 1814

This silver medal of William Pitt was created in 1814 by Thomas Wyon the Younger. The profile portrait, a motif that traces back to ancient Roman coinage, conveys authority and veneration. Consider how, in the Renaissance, the rediscovery of classical antiquity led to the revival of portrait medals. The profile, once reserved for emperors and gods, became a symbol of individual achievement and power. We see it echoed in Renaissance portraiture, a testament to humanism's focus on the individual. The use of such a motif underlines the subject’s importance and connects it to the great rulers of the past. This enduring motif highlights our collective memory and subconscious desire to link present figures with revered historical archetypes, a subtle nod to the cyclical nature of history and power.