Medal: Federigo da Montefeltro

Art Historical Context

This striking bronze medal, modeled around 1474 by the Renaissance polymath Filarete (Antonio di Pietro Averlino), immortalizes Federigo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, in a classic profile view. With a diameter of 11.2 cm and substantial weight of 513 grams, the copper-alloy piece displays a beautiful brown-to-green patina and traces of black wax, suggesting a later 19th- or 20th-century cast from the original mold. Part of the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Italian Renaissance medals. Federigo da Montefeltro (1422–1482) was a formidable condottiero—a mercenary captain—who rose to power in central Italy, ruling Urbino as a beacon of Renaissance humanism. A shrewd diplomat and lavish patron, he amassed one of Europe's finest libraries and commissioned works from masters like Piero della Francesca, embodying the era's fusion of martial prowess and cultural splendor. Medals like this were revolutionary collectibles in 15th-century Italy, reviving ancient Roman portrait coins while showcasing advanced bronze-casting techniques for intimate, portable art. Filarete, known for his architectural treatises and sculptures, captured the duke's dignified profile with sharp detail, highlighting status and individuality. A testament to enduring legacy, it invites visitors to ponder the Renaissance ideal of the enlightened warrior.