Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, 1417-1468, Lord of Rimini 1432 [obverse] 1445

This bronze medal was crafted by Pisanello to celebrate Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini. It depicts Sigismondo in profile, adorned in armor, a symbol of his military prowess. The inscription around his portrait proclaims his titles, linking him to both earthly power and divine favor through the mention of "Romanus Ecclesiae Capitaneus Generalis." Consider the profile portrait itself. This motif has ancient roots, gracing Roman coins and Imperial busts. It resurfaces here, reborn in the Renaissance, to underscore Sigismondo's authority and connect him to the glory of the classical past. This conscious revival, a "Nachleben," or after-life, of classical forms, speaks to the enduring human desire to emulate and reincarnate past greatness. The very act of memorializing a figure in metal taps into deep psychological currents. It's an attempt to defy mortality, to freeze an individual in time and memory. The image is a potent force that engages viewers on a subconscious level. It is a testament to the cyclical nature of history, a reminder that symbols and gestures never truly disappear.