Ercole d'Este I (1431-1505) c. 1902

Curator: This bronze medal, approximately 9 cm in diameter, depicts Ercole d'Este I, who ruled Ferrara from 1471 to 1505. Its creator is, sadly, unknown. Editor: It feels like a potent symbol of leadership, doesn't it? The stark profile, the inscription—imposing and confident. Curator: Absolutely. The inscriptions and imagery were carefully constructed. On the reverse, you see the Este family emblem, a vase, and a palm tree. Editor: The palm, rising above the vase, definitely conveys resilience. The Este vase implies a source, perhaps of wisdom or even power. It suggests that his strength rises from firm foundations. Curator: Indeed. Medals like this one were political tools, designed to broadcast Ercole's authority and project his image across the region. Editor: Art functioning as propaganda. Even today, the profile conveys a sense of strength, hinting at the power of inherited cultural symbols. Curator: It's a fascinating glimpse into how rulers used imagery to shape their public image. Editor: A reminder that images, even on a small scale, hold immense political and symbolic weight.