Ludovico Trevisan, also known as Ludovico Scarampi (Mezzarota), died 1465, Patriarch of Aquileia December 1439, Cardinal July 1440 [obverse] 1440

Editor: This is a bronze medal made around 1440 by Cristoforo di Geremia, depicting Ludovico Trevisan, who was a Cardinal. There's something really solemn about his profile. It feels almost…serious, and maybe a bit sad? What do you see when you look at this, something beyond just a historical record? Curator: Oh, it whispers stories to me. Forget the cardinal for a moment. This medal isn’t just about papal power; it’s about presence. Do you see how the light catches the curve of his cheek, the set of his jaw? Cristoforo isn't just showing us who Ludovico was, but how he chose to be seen. In his gaze there is determination. Editor: I see what you mean. It's more intimate than I initially thought. What can you tell from the inscriptions that form a ring around him? Curator: These inscriptions place him, root him in his power. He’s literally framed by his titles, "LA.LOVICIVS. TREVISANVS..." the words celebrate Ludovico as Patriarch of Aquileia, Cardinal. They're essential, yet the true power of this lies in that solitary face, that small portrait that demands you look closer. Are those signs of worry carved into the corners of his mouth? Did being a cardinal in the Renaissance come with doubts? Editor: It is truly impressive that this object from centuries ago still manages to communicate humanity, and doubt. The way you draw out that tension is amazing. Curator: It’s all there, isn’t it? Bronze remembers. And artists like Cristoforo…they knew how to listen.