Costanza Bocchi, died 1566, Wife of Gianfrancesco Malvezzi 1560

Gian Antonio Signoretti created this portrait medal of Costanza Bocchi in the late 16th century. These medals were fashionable amongst the upper classes during the Renaissance, often commissioned to commemorate births, deaths, or marriages, moments of life and legacy. Here, Costanza Bocchi is forever memorialized, a representation of feminine virtue and status. But what does it mean to be frozen in time, especially for a woman whose identity is largely defined by her relationship to men, first as a daughter and then as a wife? The medal captures a likeness, but also an ideal—an almost eerie echo across centuries, inviting us to consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and the ways in which women's identities have been shaped by societal expectations and patriarchal structures. It’s a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring quest for remembrance.