Self-Portrait [obverse] 1458

This bronze medal, created in 1458 by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldù, is a self-portrait of the artist. It depicts a youthful Boldù in profile, his head crowned with a laurel wreath, and features an inscription around the edge. The medal is a fine example of the Renaissance fascination with classical portraiture and the revival of ancient Roman medallic art. It also reveals Boldù's artistic skill in rendering detailed and expressive features in a small format. This piece is a rare and significant example of Renaissance portraiture.