Niccolo Piccinino, condottiere uit Perugia 1446 - 1900

This is a bronze medal portraying Niccolo Piccinino, made by the artist Pisanello in Italy, sometime in the first half of the 15th century. Piccinino was a condottiere, a mercenary military leader of the Italian Renaissance, who rose to prominence through military prowess, at a time when city states were fighting for territory. Pisanello’s medal exemplifies the way art was used to construct a leader's image. On one side, we see a portrait in profile, reminiscent of ancient Roman coins, designed to convey authority. The inscription around the edge further reinforces Piccinino's status. On the reverse, a winged lion, a symbol of Venice, suggests the extent of Piccinino’s influence and military power. Understanding the social conditions of Renaissance Italy helps us interpret this medal. Research into the history of Italian city-states, the role of condottieri, and the patronage of the arts during this period helps us understand the medal not just as a portrait, but as a carefully constructed piece of political communication.