Alessandro de' Medici, 1510-1537, 1st Duke of Florence 1532 [obverse] c. 1541

This bronze portrait of Alessandro de’ Medici, the first Duke of Florence, was created by Domenico di Polo de’ Vetri around 1532. Its small scale speaks to a specific purpose: probably as a gift, or perhaps as a token to be carried. The material is critical here. Bronze is a relatively humble material, easily cast, yet it has an inherent sense of value due to its metallic content. The process of creating this portrait would have involved carving a positive model, making a mold, and then pouring in the molten bronze. Once cooled, the surface would have been carefully chased and finished. There’s an interesting tension here between the modesty of the material, the relatively industrial process of casting, and the elite subject matter. The medal subtly communicates power, but through craft rather than overtly artistic means. This speaks to the important role of skilled artisans in shaping the image of Renaissance rulers.