Portrait medal of Giovanni Giovano Pontano
model last quarter 15th century (cast 16th century)
Medium
Bronze (Copper alloy with brown patina and remnants of black lacquer or wax).
Dimensions
Diam. 8.4 cm, wt. 219.38 g.
Classification
Medals
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1271
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the Renaissance, portrait medals like this bronze example became prized collectibles, echoing ancient Roman coins while celebrating contemporary humanists and patrons. Crafted by Adriano FiorentinoAdriano di Giovanni de Maestri), a leading Florentine medallist active in Naples, this piece depicts Giovanni Giovano Pontano (1426–1503), a brilliant poet, philosopher, and diplomat who served the Aragonese court in Naples. model dates to the last quarter of the 15 century, with this cast produced in the 16th, showcasing the enduring appeal of such works. Fiorentino's skillful profile portrait c...