Pelican in Her Piety [reverse] c. 1446

Curator: Here we have a bronze intaglio relief titled "Pelican in Her Piety [reverse]", created around 1446 by Pisanello during the Italian Renaissance. It's a round medal, like a coin almost, burnished and inscribed. It’s beautiful! What's your initial take? Editor: The darkness of the bronze against the simple image gives it a haunting, almost mythic quality. That single pelican, centered and seemingly suspended in time, is both regal and vulnerable, like a moment captured in an ancient dream. Curator: Precisely! The pelican is quite striking, wouldn't you agree? Throughout history, this symbol embodies sacrifice and nurturing, often linked with the idea of Christ sacrificing himself for humanity. It has roots in Christian art. The artist creates intimacy by bringing an ancient belief to the reach of his hands. Editor: Yes, the "pelican in her piety" is loaded with symbolism, representing self-sacrifice and redemption, concepts deeply embedded in the collective unconscious, especially during the Renaissance. But look at the way Pisanello presents it – the precise etching captures a moment of raw, instinctual, almost brutal tenderness. Curator: Agreed, and remember that reverse inscriptions and impressions of medals held their original values: These are considered tools of the Renaissance. Look how knowledge started moving among erudite circles through a novel way to both immortalize subjects, promote intellectual curiosity, and even influence culture! Editor: The text definitely amplifies the intent; "PATER HUMANITATIS.OPUS.PISANI MATHEMATICUS.PICTOR.ET OMNIS.HVMANIS.SINNIS", which positions Pisanello himself through mathematics and art. So not only did this symbolize sacrifice and a god figure but almost canonized the creator. He, in turn, is deifying the commissioner for their intellectual reach. Curator: It's all very interconnected: Symbolism, knowledge, and portraiture come together and mark this moment. Art and artist are always interlinked. By casting this emblem, this piece is an extension of the mind through hand and metal. It holds a weight that resonates through its making, quite literally as well. Editor: This medal's profound impact remains in how its art speaks to us across centuries. Through symbolism, portraiture and making we touch an era we never were there for. Curator: A miniature marvel that echoes through time.