Medal: Don Iñigo d’Avalos

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medal, created by the celebrated Italian artist Pisanello (Antonio Pisano), portrays Don Iñigo d’Avalos, a prominent 15th-century nobleman and military figure who served the Aragonese court in Naples. Pisanello, renowned as one of the founders of Renaissance medal-making, specialized in small-scale portraiture that blended lifelike representation with classical symbolism. His works elevated the medal from a simple commemorative object into a sophisticated art form that captured the dignity and status of its subjects. Dating to around 1449–50, this copper alloy piece reflects the innovative techniques of the early Renaissance, when artists revived ancient Roman coinage traditions to celebrate contemporary rulers and courtiers. The dark brown patina enhances its timeless quality, while the compact eight-centimeter diameter made it ideal for personal exchange or collection. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Robert Lehman Collection, the medal exemplifies how Pisanello’s portraits served both as intimate keepsakes and enduring records of political alliances during a dynamic period of Italian history.