Anna Maurella Oldofredi d'Iseo

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th century, artist Giovanni Battista Cambio, known as Bombarda, crafted this intimate portrait medal of Anna Maurella Oldofredi'Iseo, a noblewoman likely from the prominent Oldofredi family of Iseo in Lombardy. Measuring just 6.38 cm in diameter weighing 44.72, the lead sculpture exemplifies the Renaissance tradition of small-scale medals, which served as personal tokens, diplomatic gifts, or memorials. Lead, an uncommon choice compared to bronze or silver, suggests this may have been a working model or proof cast, allowing the artist to refine details before final production. Bombarda, a skilled Lombard medallist, captured the sitter's likeness with precise modeling, highlighting the era's fascination with individualized portraiture amid the transition from Renaissance humanism to Mannerism. These medals were cultural artifacts of status and identity, blending sculpture's three-dimensionality with numismatic precision. Today, this piece from the Samuel H. Kress Collection graces the National Gallery of Art, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into 16th-century Italian elite society and the artistry of ephemeral metalwork.