Pelican in Her Piety [reverse] c. 1446

This bronze medal, "Pelican in Her Piety," was created by the Italian Renaissance artist Pisanello around 1446. The medal depicts a pelican, a bird known for feeding its young with its own blood, a symbol of Christian self-sacrifice. The inscription around the edge reads "Opus Pisani Pictoris. Pater Mathematicus" (Work of Pisano, painter, father of mathematics) indicating the piece was likely made as a commemorative medal. It showcases Pisanello's masterful use of detail and his interest in scientific themes.