Jakob Fugger, 1459-1525, Banker and Financier 

Editor: This metal relief depicts Jakob Fugger, a banker and financier, dating from the Renaissance period, by Valentin Maler. It’s… austere. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's compelling to view this relief through the lens of power dynamics in Renaissance society. Fugger was instrumental in financing the Habsburgs, enabling their rise to dominance. Think about the implications of a banker wielding such influence; he was effectively shaping European politics through capital. Editor: So the portrait isn’t just of a man, but a representation of a system? Curator: Precisely! Consider how artists were often supported by wealthy patrons like Fugger. The very creation of this medal highlights Fugger's importance but it may not represent any personal qualities about him, what does that suggest to you? Editor: That’s interesting! So, it tells us about the society and values of that era rather than Fugger himself. Curator: Absolutely. Furthermore, how do we reconcile the undeniable beauty of Renaissance art with the social inequalities that underpinned its creation? Works like these are deeply implicated in that complex web of power, gender, class and influence. Do you notice how gendered most artistic depictions of wealth are at this time? Who gets a voice? Editor: This really makes me think about how we portray power and wealth through art. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, understanding these objects requires acknowledging these complex relationships between art, power, and societal structures. A deeper conversation for another time.