Elisabetta Querini, died 1559, Daughter of Francesco Querini of Venice, Wife of Lorenzo Masolo, Widowed 1556 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite bronze medal portraying Elisabetta Querinidied 1559), crafted by the renowned Renaissance sculptor Daneseaneo in 16th-century Venice. Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter and weighing a delicate 40.51 grams, this intimate obverse portrait captures the poised likeness of a Venetian noblewomandaughter of Francesco Querini widow of Lorenzo Masolo since 1556. Cattaneo, a master medalist trained under Jacopo Sansovino, exemplifies the Renaissance revival of classical portraiture in miniature form. Portrait medals like this one were a hallmark of Renaissance Italy, serving as personal talismans, diplomatic gifts, or memorials for the elite. Cast in bronze—a durable medium evoking ancient Roman coins—these small sculptures blended artistry with commemoration, often worn as pendants or collected in cabinets of curiosities. Elisabetta's medal reflects Venice's opulent patrician culture, where family lineage and status were meticulously honored. Today, this gem from the Samuel H. Kress Collection at the National Gallery of Art invites us to ponder the lives of Renaissance women, whose portraits preserved their legacies amid turbulent times. A testament to Cattaneo's skillful modeling and humanistic detail, it bridges art, history, and personal memory.