Augustus Lösch, 1471-1535, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria 1526

This silver medal portraying Augustus Lösch, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria, was created by Friedrich Hagenauer, a German artist, in 1526. Medals like this served as portable symbols of power and status in the Renaissance. The image creates meaning through its classical references, like the Latin inscription, aligning Lösch with the learned elite. The detailed rendering of Lösch's features and clothing emphasizes his individual importance. Made in Bavaria, a region with strong ties to the Holy Roman Empire, this medal reflects the social structures of its time. Lösch's position as Chancellor indicates his role in the complex political landscape of 16th-century Germany. The medal itself can be considered a critique of institutional power, as it elevates an individual within that structure. Understanding this medal requires considering the social and institutional context in which it was created. Researching the history of Bavaria, the role of the Chancellor, and the artistic conventions of the Renaissance are crucial to interpreting this work fully.