Portrait of a Man [obverse] 

Curator: Here we have "Portrait of a Man [obverse]" an exquisite bronze intaglio of the Medieval period by Regnault Danet. What are your first impressions? Editor: I'm immediately struck by its austere and noble profile, radiating a certain restrained dignity, very common within early portraiture. There is something about that inscription too that is so...intentional. Curator: Absolutely, let's dive into the materiality of the piece. As a bronze sculpture crafted using the intaglio method, the process would have involved a highly skilled artisan meticulously engraving the design in reverse onto a metal plate, and that is itself an interesting comment on labour and skill. Editor: And given the prevalence of these types of items in the Medieval age, how do you think the representation here works in conversation with medieval constructs of masculinity, and specifically aristocratic men and power? Does this resonate for you? Curator: Considering that portraits like these would have been accessible mainly to the elite, it speaks volumes about how powerful patrons sought to portray themselves. They served as tokens of their power and, perhaps, of their desired legacy and their contributions to society, as men. The crafting alone would involve material extraction, workshops... the economic networks! Editor: It also makes me wonder about access, or rather, a lack of it, in our own time. Who gets to decide how figures of influence are commemorated and memorialized? What narratives are being upheld? Who has a seat at the table? The way this portrait captures the likeness is inherently imbued with political intent that is very familiar today. Curator: That's it: we have to understand, these items aren't divorced from what the portrayed wanted to show off. In that moment in history, this person chose to be defined in this way for others and to other moments in history. It gives it its unique historical weight. The medium truly emphasizes his status. The precision and artistry needed is striking. It emphasizes the idea of skill and authority! Editor: Looking at this today, the portrait offers us insight into past norms, but, by recognizing its implicit message about who has the privilege of representation, we can apply what we learn to current discussions about inclusivity and social change. We have a portrait of an individual man that reveals such vast societal tendencies. Curator: And now, viewing its historical weight alongside what it makes you think about in the present... you end up looking into a microcosm that echoes into an ocean of different but inherently related topics. Editor: Beautifully said. This small token manages to do just that: remind us that things change, but often echo one another through the ages.