In honor of Livio Odescalchi (1652–1713), nephew of Pope Innocent XI 1699

Editor: So, this decorative bronze medal, crafted in 1699 by Giovanni Martino Hamerani, is "In honor of Livio Odescalchi, nephew of Pope Innocent XI." There's a formality to it that's also very human... something about capturing someone’s likeness, don't you think? What’s your take on this piece? Curator: Likeness, yes, but so much more. It's a power move cast in bronze! Imagine gifting or receiving this. Look at the crisp profile, the carefully styled wig – pure Baroque swagger! Think of it as a seventeenth-century "LinkedIn" profile. It tells everyone precisely who Odescalchi *wants* them to see, not necessarily who he is. I wonder, what does the inscription communicate to you? Editor: It's just abbreviations. Looks like it translates to Livius Odescalchi D[ux] G[entis] Sirm[iensis] Brac[ciani D[ux]? Okay, so it says he was the Duke of Sirmium and Bracciano, places I have not thought about today! Do you think most people would understand what it said when it was made? Curator: Exactly! Those titles are social and political currency! Everyone *in the know* back then understood its significance. It's a visual and textual reminder of his status, whispering of power, lineage, and influence. Now, think about its function: was it a pocket-sized advertisement, a mark of prestige, or simply an ego boost for the Duke himself? Editor: Hmmm, pocket-sized advertisement! I hadn't thought of it that way! All those symbolic details really do transform it from a simple portrait into something else entirely. Curator: Precisely! Seeing it that way shifts your perspective, right? History isn't static; it’s a constant, often amusing conversation!