Pelican in Her Piety [reverse] c. 1446

This is the reverse of Pisanello’s bronze medal, “Pelican in Her Piety.” The circular composition immediately suggests wholeness and continuity, reinforcing the central theme of sacrifice and renewal. Look closely and notice how Pisanello uses the circular form to frame the allegorical scene and the surrounding text. The pelican dominates the visual field with wings outstretched above her nest. Observe the texture and density of the bronze, with its variations in light and shadow. These textures and lines draw our eyes to the pelican as she pierces her breast to feed her young, a powerful symbol of Christian sacrifice. The medal’s imagery invites us to reflect on the relationships between form, content, and cultural meaning. The circular format, the detailed texture of the bronze, and the symbolic representation of the pelican create a layered experience, asking us to consider the deeper implications of self-sacrifice. Ultimately, the medal exists not just as a static object but as a dynamic signifier, capable of evoking a wide range of interpretations depending on the viewer's cultural and historical context.