Niccolò Palmieri, 1401-1467, Bishop of Orte 1455-1467 [obverse] 1467

Andrea Guacialoti created this bronze medal of Niccolò Palmieri, Bishop of Orte, most likely in the second half of the 15th century. The most striking feature is the profile portrait dominating the circular field. The subject's likeness is captured with a stark realism; notice the wrinkles, the receding hairline and the weighty jowls. The structure of the medal—its form and its texture—speak to its function. The incised lettering ringing the portrait flattens the pictorial space, reinforcing the object's status as a symbolic artifact rather than a purely representational image. Here the formal qualities embody semiotic content, transforming the individual into a signifier of power and status. The medal's smooth, cool surface invites touch, offering a haptic experience that deepens our connection with the past. The weight and solidity of the bronze further emphasize the enduring nature of the Bishop's legacy, fixed in metal for posterity. This is not simply a portrait, but a carefully constructed object designed to communicate ideas about authority, memory, and the enduring power of representation.