Alexander VI (Pope, 1492–1503) 1585 - 1599

Editor: Here we have a metal portrait medal of Alexander VI, Pope from 1492 to 1503. The piece was created sometime between 1585 and 1599 by Giovanni Paladino. It has an almost ghostly feel to it. I am struck by the details of the papal garments juxtaposed against the plain background. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a highly controlled exercise in relief sculpture, one where the success lies in the articulation of surfaces. Note the play of light on the pontiff's face. It is modeled to suggest not only volume but also a particular temperament. Observe the almost scientific precision with which the drapery of his robes is rendered. It's a powerful example of capturing presence through pure form. Editor: So, you're focusing on the composition and how the light interacts with the sculpted surface? Curator: Precisely. We are asked to consider the geometric purity of the circle against the internal structure provided by the artist's skillful arrangement of textures and depths. Do you notice how the lettering creates a frame and emphasizes the figure in the centre? Editor: Now that you point it out, the lettering does box him in and further isolates the figure from its ground. Curator: Paladino creates tension. He presents us with formal constraint and detailed representational ambition. Considering the medal as an object – its weight, material, texture, etc. – deepens the experience. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered how much the physical qualities of the medal itself contribute to the overall impact. Thank you.