Isabella Michiel Sesso, Wife of Giambattista Sesso [obverse] c. 1511 - 1517

Editor: This is a metal portrait medal of Isabella Michiel Sesso, Wife of Giambattista Sesso, made by Giovanni Maria Pomedelli sometime between 1511 and 1517. The profile is so striking and seems very deliberately posed. What sort of stories do you see in this piece? Curator: The stories are held in the symbolic language. The woman’s elaborate headwear, for instance, isn't just fashion. It signifies status, of course, but also adherence to cultural ideals of modesty and controlled presentation. The very act of immortalizing her on a medal suggests an effort to freeze her identity within the annals of Venetian society. Editor: So it’s a deliberate construction of identity, not just a likeness? Curator: Precisely! Consider the inscription: 'ISABELLA SESSA MICHAEL VENETA.' This isn't merely a name; it's a proclamation of lineage, marital status, and civic identity – her family name, her husband's name linking her to his prestige, and her Venetian belonging. Even the placement and style of the lettering add layers of meaning, evoking classical ideals and humanist learning. Editor: Fascinating. What about the small floral detail? Does that carry any weight? Curator: Likely! Floral motifs often embody virtue, fertility, or even the transient nature of beauty. It acts as a quiet commentary on her role as a woman, wife, and possible mother. Editor: This makes me see how carefully constructed these images really are. Thanks so much. Curator: My pleasure. I think noticing how cultures choose to memorialize, whether it is through specific styles, patterns or iconic representations, can illuminate core societal values.