Fountain Surmounted by a Nude Male Figure [reverse] c. 1446

Editor: Here we have Matteo de' Pasti’s bronze relief, "Fountain Surmounted by a Nude Male Figure," created around 1446. It feels very classical, and the use of bronze gives it a certain weight. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the materiality of this medal. Bronze, chosen for its durability and its associations with antiquity, elevates the fountain—usually a public, communal structure – into something precious and permanent, akin to a personal monument. Consider the casting process: the lost-wax method, the labour involved, the skill… It speaks to a society investing heavily in the image and legacy of individuals. Editor: That's interesting! So it’s not just about the imagery, but about the connotations of bronze itself. How does this affect the meaning? Curator: Precisely! Think about the fountain itself depicted in relief. Fountains provided essential resources, and their placement often influenced social interactions. By rendering this communal resource in bronze, and adorning it with a nude figure, de’ Pasti's is signaling an elevation in status, and consumption becoming display. The medal functions less as 'art for art's sake' than it serves a vital social function, conveying messages of power and prestige within a tightly knit circle. Notice also the inscription bordering the scene, which might reference the owner of the medal itself. What kind of social dynamics and display does this medal prompt between people when it’s exchanged and showcased? Editor: I see! It's not just an image, but a statement about access to resources and the patron's influence. So, looking at the medal not as a singular artwork, but as a product deeply entrenched in its socioeconomic environment really helps to see what's going on here! Curator: Absolutely. It reframes how we understand art of this era, emphasizing production, social relations and value systems at the heart of art-making. Editor: This has been very illuminating, shifting focus from the visual to consider art’s function as a commodity, I can appreciate the nuances in this medal much better. Curator: Indeed, viewing art through the lens of materiality opens a world of complex meanings often overlooked.