Benedict XIII (Piero Francesco Orsini, 1649-1730), Pope 1724 [obverse] 1724

This is a bronze medal of Benedict XIII made by Ermenegildo Hamerani. Observe the medal's circular form; its edges create a boundary that frames the papal portrait. The bust of Benedict XIII is set against a textured background. Hamerani's use of line is evident in the contours of the Pope's profile and the intricate patterns of his vestments. These lines work together to create a visual hierarchy, drawing attention to the Pope's face as the focal point, and then moving down his garments. Consider how the incised inscription, functioning as a semiotic code, not only identifies the subject but also reinforces the medal's purpose as an object of commemoration. The medal, through its materiality and design, operates within a system of signs and symbols that reflect the power structures and artistic conventions of its time. This medal is not merely a representation, but an interpretation, open to ongoing analysis.