Goffredo Franco 1530 - 1565

Pietro Paolo Galeotti created this bronze medal of Goffredo Franco in the 16th century, a time when the Renaissance was in full bloom, celebrating individual achievement and humanist ideals. The medal portrays Franco in profile, a style reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, invoking ideas of leadership and power. Note the intricate details of his beard and clothing. These medals were often commissioned to commemorate individuals, serving as a lasting testament to their status and identity within society. But who decides who gets remembered? As we look at Goffredo Franco, we might also reflect on the countless unnamed figures who contributed to the era's cultural and economic landscape but were excluded from such forms of recognition. Consider how objects like this both shape and reflect the values of their time, prompting us to question whose stories are told and whose are left out.