Paul II (Pietro Barbo, 1417-1471), Pope 1464 [obverse] 1667 - 1682

This is a bronze medal of Pope Paul II, or Pietro Barbo, made by Girolamo Paladino in the late 17th century. It presents a profile of the Pope, inscribed with his name and title. The medal embodies the complex relationship between art, power, and papal authority in early modern Italy. As a symbolic object, the medal was not simply a portrait, but also a political statement. Consider, for example, the strategic use of imagery and inscription to promote the Pope's image and authority. These medals were often produced and distributed as gifts, or as commemorative objects, to assert papal authority and legitimize the rule of powerful individuals. So by examining such objects, we can gain insight into the ways in which art served the interests of the powerful, and how artists negotiated the demands of their patrons. Historical research into papal records, artist biographies, and the political context of the time, helps us to fully understand this artwork's cultural meaning.