Medal: Leonello d'Este 1436 - 1446

This bronze medal was made by Pisanello, in the 15th century. Pisanello was a master of the *all'antica* style, meaning ‘in the antique manner.’ His portrait of Leonello d’Este is typical of the Renaissance interest in classical forms. But it is also a great example of metalworking, a medium that speaks to wider social issues of labor, class, and politics. To create this medal, Pisanello would have begun by carving his design in a durable material such as stone or metal. He then would have used this as a mold for casting the final bronze version. This was skilled work; it took care and time. The materiality of this medal, with its impressive heft, would have been legible to its owner. More than a beautiful object, it signified a refined level of workmanship, something that the patron, Leonello, valued. It's a reminder that the concept of ‘art’ has always been entwined with the language of craft.