Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici (1670-1723) 1684

This is a bronze portrait medal of Grand Duke Cosimo the Third de' Medici, made by Massimiliano Soldani, likely in Florence around the turn of the 18th century. Medals like this served a very specific purpose in early modern Europe. They were not money, but rather, portable images of the ruler, meant to be collected and displayed, or given as gifts to visiting dignitaries. They were a form of propaganda, intended to project an image of power and prestige. Cosimo the Third ruled Tuscany for over 50 years, and was keen to maintain the elevated status of his family. The portrait itself is quite formal, showing the Grand Duke in profile, wearing elaborate armor. The inscription around the edge identifies him by name and title. Medals can tell us a lot about the social and political context in which they were made, providing us insights into the values and aspirations of the ruling elite. To fully understand these objects, we can look at archival documents, such as letters and inventories, which can tell us more about how they were used and circulated.