To Commemorate the Pazzi Conspiracy, 1478 1478

Bertoldo di Giovanni created this bronze medal to commemorate the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478. At first glance, one is struck by the medal’s circular form, a self-contained universe encapsulating a dramatic narrative. The material itself, bronze, lends a weighty permanence to the event it depicts. Consider how the composition is cleverly divided into distinct registers. Above, the idealized portrait of Lorenzo de Medici projects strength. Below, a chaotic scene unfolds, capturing the assassination attempt during High Mass at the Duomo in Florence. Bertoldo uses linear perspective to create depth, drawing our eye into the tumultuous scene. The inscription 'Salvs Pvblica' – public safety – is emblazoned across the middle ground. This phrase isn't merely descriptive; it’s a strategic pronouncement intended to legitimize the Medici's power. The medal serves as a fascinating case study in how Renaissance art deployed classical forms to engage with contemporary political concerns. It reminds us that artistic expression and political power are often intertwined.