Alexander VII (Pope, 1655–67)

Art Historical Context

This delicate bronze medal, crafted by Roman artist Gasparo Mor in 1661, Pope Alexander VII (r 1655–1667) in a classical profile portrait. At just 1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm) in diameter, it exemplifies the scale of 17th-century Italian plaquettes—small, low-relief sculptures prized for their portability and precision. Produced in Rome during the Baroque era, such medals were often cast to commemorate papal figures, blending Renaissance portrait traditions with the era's dramatic realism. Bronze, a durable and prestigious medium, allowed Morone to render fine details like the pope's facial features, drapery, and insignia, evoking ancient Roman coins while serving contemporary purposes. These objects functioned as diplomatic gifts, personal talismans, or symbols of papal authority, reflecting Rome's vibrant culture of medallic art amid Counter-Reformation patronage. Today, this piece graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, thanks to the 1959 bequest of Rupert L. Joseph. It invites visitors to appreciate the artistry of miniature sculpture and the enduring legacy of papal portraiture.