Alessandro Bassiano, Cavino, and Marco Mantova Benavides, Italian juriconsult (1489–1582) 1530 - 1565

Editor: This is a portrait medal of Alessandro Bassiano, Cavino, and Marco Mantova Benavides, created sometime between 1530 and 1565 by Giovanni del Cavino. It looks like it's made of metal and rendered in relief. It seems fairly straightforward at first glance – what strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The interesting thing to me is less about the individual portrait and more about the role of these portrait medals themselves. They were incredibly popular during the Renaissance, particularly among elites and those seeking to establish or solidify their social standing. This wasn't just about personal vanity. How do you think a portrait medal served its subject? Editor: Well, I guess it's a form of self-promotion. A way to literally stamp your image, and therefore your identity, onto the world. Were they widely circulated, like currency? Curator: Not exactly currency, although the format echoes coinage deliberately. They were more like personal emblems, luxury items that might be gifted to demonstrate allegiance or admiration. Think of the medal not just as an artwork but as a social object – how did the creation and gifting of medals like this function within Renaissance society? Editor: So, it's less about the artistic merit and more about the social impact of these medals? It was more than just a decorative object; it played a key part in demonstrating influence at the time. Curator: Precisely! Understanding the art involves understanding how institutions and societal trends influenced artists' processes. Each of these artworks had different purposes beyond being observed. That purpose shapes what artists made! Editor: I never really thought about how deeply entwined art can be with the socio-political climate of the time. It gives me a new appreciation to observe not just, 'is this nice,' but what power structures led to it being 'nice.'