Jacques de Vitry-La Lière, died 1515, Canon, Dean, and Chancellor [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal, created in 1518 by the anonymous Medalist of 1518, commemorates Jacques de Vitry-La Lière, a prominent church official who served as Canon, Dean, and Chancellor before his death in 1515. Measuring just under two inches in diameter, the obverse likely features a portrait of the deceased cleric, a common format for Renaissance commemorative medals that served as portable tributes to notable figures. Such medals emerged as an important art form in the early 16th century, blending classical Roman coinage traditions with contemporary portraiture. Crafted in durable bronze, they allowed scholars, clergy, and nobles to preserve their legacy in a tangible, collectible form that could circulate among peers and institutions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Samuel H. Kress Collection, this piece reflects the Renaissance interest in individual achievement and the enduring role of the Church in cultural patronage. Its modest scale and precise casting highlight the technical skill required to capture a sitter’s likeness and status in miniature.