Caracalla [obverse] 1466

Giovanni Boldù created this bronze medal, "Caracalla", in the 15th century. During the Renaissance, portrait medals became a popular way to immortalize and disseminate images of individuals, often drawing inspiration from classical antiquity. Here, Boldù represents Caracalla with a youthful, almost idealized visage, adorned with a laurel wreath. It is inscribed with "Antoninus Pius Augustus", linking him to the lineage of Roman emperors, thus associating his likeness with notions of imperial power and virtue. Boldù, like many Renaissance artists, was fascinated by classical forms and ideals, yet he lived in a world far removed from that of the Roman emperors. The medal plays with the complexities of representation, power, and identity. It reflects a longing to connect with the past while simultaneously shaping a new visual language for the present. It compels us to consider how societies remember, and what aspects of history they choose to celebrate.