Antonio Grimani, doge van Venetië 1522

This small, anonymous bronze medal portrays Antonio Grimani, doge of Venice. Though unsigned, it speaks volumes about the period's economic and political imperatives. The medal was likely cast using the lost wax method, a skilled tradition requiring expertise in modeling, mold-making, and metal casting, demonstrating a blend of artistry and technical knowledge. Bronze was the perfect material for the job, lending durability and a weighty feel that suggests value and permanence, reflecting Grimani’s desire for a lasting legacy. The medal’s imagery, with the doge on one side and the allegorical figure of Pax on the other, promotes peace and prosperity. A message, no doubt, intended to bolster Grimani’s leadership and Venice’s position as a powerful trading republic. Minting such objects involved specialized labor, from the initial design to the final polishing. The medal encapsulates the fusion of art, craft, and political ambition.