Marcellus II (Marcello Corvino, 1501-1555), Pope 1555 [obverse] 1555

This is a bronze medal of Marcellus the second, Pope in 1555, made by Giovanni Antonio de' Rossi. Medals like this one functioned as tools of propaganda, designed to broadcast the power and authority of the papacy. Made in Italy, during the High Renaissance, the medal presents Marcellus in profile, a visual code that evokes classical antiquity and links him to the tradition of Roman emperors. Notice the inscription around the edge, ‘Marcellus II Pont Max’, which translates to ‘Marcellus II, Supreme Pontiff’. This emphasizes his role as the head of the Catholic Church. The medal was created during the Counter-Reformation, a period of intense religious and political upheaval in Europe. In its time, the Catholic Church was a powerful institution and papal imagery was carefully managed to project strength and stability. By studying the visual language of this medal, and researching the historical context in which it was produced, we can gain insight into the complex relationship between art, power, and religion in the 16th century.