Vittorino de' Rambaldoni da Feltre, 1379-1446, Humanist [obverse] c. 1446

This bronze medal depicting Vittorino de' Rambaldoni da Feltre was created by Pisanello in the 15th century. The material itself, bronze, speaks to the status of the person commemorated. Casting bronze was labor-intensive, requiring expertise in smelting, mold-making, and finishing. The medal’s value lies not just in its material, but in the process of its making. Molten bronze was poured into a mold, allowed to cool, and then carefully removed and finished. The texture and weight of the bronze gives it a tactile quality. Its circular form, sharp profile, and inscription create a sense of permanence. Pisanello, as a master of bronze-casting, likely employed assistants in his workshop, reflecting a hierarchy of labor characteristic of the Renaissance. This medal also challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft, embodying skilled artistry and technical expertise. As an object, it invites us to consider the relationship between artistic production and the social context in which it was created.