Giovanni Bentivoglio II (1443-1509) c. 1902

Curator: This intriguing bronze medal, attributed to an anonymous artist, portrays Giovanni Bentivoglio II, who lived from 1443 to 1509. Editor: It feels very self-consciously masculine, doesn't it? All armor and horses and claims to power. Curator: Absolutely. Note how the artist, despite being unknown to us, used these elements to construct and convey Bentivoglio's authority. The inscription around the portrait likely adds to this constructed image. Editor: Considering Bentivoglio's turbulent reign, it makes one wonder about the gap between the symbol and the reality of his power, especially in relation to his people. Was this purely propaganda? Curator: It speaks to the perennial human desire to control our image, crafting narratives of power and legacy. Editor: True. Even in miniature, the desire for lasting impact resonates.