Ippolita Gonzaga (1535–1563), at the age of 17 1552 - 1553

Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo created this lead medal of Ippolita Gonzaga around 1552, when she was just seventeen years old. The circular form, smooth surface, and shallow depth all contribute to its classical feel, evoking ancient Roman coinage. Yet, it is the composition that holds our gaze. The profile bust of Ippolita is meticulously detailed, from the intricate arrangement of her hair to the delicate folds of her dress and the layering of her jewelry. The inscription that encircles her figure acts as both frame and text, typical of portrait medals in the Renaissance. This conflation of text and image prompts us to consider how meaning is constructed through both visual and linguistic signs. Notice how the artist uses line and form to convey not just likeness, but also status and character. The medal thus operates as a complex interplay of signs, reflecting broader cultural values and philosophical ideas about identity, representation, and the enduring power of art.