Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere, 1443-1513), Pope 1503 [obverse] c. 1506

Caradosso Foppa cast this bronze medal of Pope Julius II in Italy, sometime around 1503. The creation and circulation of portrait medals in Renaissance Italy served a distinct social function. These objects acted as a kind of portable propaganda, reinforcing the power and image of the individual depicted. In this case, the medal promotes Julius II, a powerful, and controversial figure, known as the "Warrior Pope" for his military campaigns to expand the Papal States. The medal's imagery, with its classical influences, reflects a broader cultural movement. The humanist revival of classical learning and art elevated individual achievement. Julius II, a key patron of Renaissance art, understood the importance of imagery in shaping public perception. His engagement with artists like Foppa demonstrates the active role of the papacy as an institution, in shaping artistic production. By studying such objects, along with letters, documents, and other period sources, we can explore the complex interplay of art, power, and social change in Renaissance Italy.