Self-Portrait [obverse] 1458

This is a bronze self-portrait medal created by Giovanni Boldù in the 15th century. Its circular form invites the eye to trace the profile of a young man encircled by an inscription. The composition is divided into the figure and the text. Notice how the artist has used line and form to create depth and texture. The subject's face is smooth and rendered in meticulous detail, in contrast to the rougher texture of the metal. His garments have a repetitive vertical pattern broken by the central placement of the artist’s signature emblem, three flames. These elements serve as signifiers not only of his personal identity but also of the complex cultural codes of the Renaissance. Boldù has created a powerful statement about the status of the artist. It marks a shift in the conception of artists, reflecting a departure from the medieval world of anonymous artisans to an era of individual genius.