Livio I Odescalchi (1652-1713) 1689

Editor: Here we have a medal featuring Livio I Odescalchi by Giovanni Martino Hamerani. The metallic sheen and small scale make me wonder about its purpose. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The medal's material composition—likely silver or a similar metal—speaks volumes. Its purpose wasn't merely aesthetic but economic and social. Consider the labor involved in its creation, the accessibility of such an object, and the power dynamics it represents. Who was meant to own and circulate this? Editor: So, it's less about pure artistry and more about the social context of its creation? Curator: Exactly! It challenges the high art/craft binary. The medal's worth isn't just in the image, but in the material, the making, and its place in a system of power and consumption. Think about the symbolic weight of metals in this period. Editor: That’s a completely different way of thinking about it. I never considered the economic and social implications of the materials. Curator: It reframes our appreciation, doesn’t it?