Nicolas Brulart de Sillery, 1544-1624, Chancellor of France 1607 [obverse] 1613

This bronze medal, crafted by Guillaume Dupré, presents Nicolas Brulart de Sillery, Chancellor of France. His profile, framed by a beard and fur-lined robes, projects authority, but it is the circular form that truly captures our attention. The circle, an ancient symbol, echoes through history, from the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, signifying eternal return, to the halo in religious iconography, representing divinity. In Sillery’s medal, this shape speaks to the cyclical nature of power and legacy. Think of Roman coins or Renaissance medallions: all seek to immortalize, yet time erodes even bronze. The portrait's sharp relief reminds us of classical busts, yet it also evokes a deeper psychological impact, with an acute awareness of the fleeting nature of human existence. This medal reminds us that symbols never truly fade; they resurface, reborn in each age, prompting a powerful sense of continuity and cultural memory.