Joachim I, Prince of Brandenburg, 1484-1535 [obverse] 1530

Curator: So, what strikes you first about this artwork, this metal relief titled "Joachim I, Prince of Brandenburg, 1484-1535"? It dates back to 1530 and is attributed to Friedrich Hagenauer. Editor: The flatness. I mean, it's trying to be three-dimensional, but it reads so… controlled. Like a royal seal pressed into time. Curator: Medals such as this one were powerful tools of Renaissance portraiture. The profile view itself is laden with historical significance. We see echoes of Roman emperors cast in bronze and stone. Editor: True, but that gaze…avoidant, almost shifty. Is that the weight of the crown, or something more personal? Also, is he wearing a donut for a hat? Curator: Ah, but look closer! That hat is a signifier of status; it marks him. These weren't candid snapshots; every detail was carefully chosen to project power. Notice the inscription around the perimeter? Editor: Vaguely aware! Something about titles, principalities, and...Latin, I presume? But tell me, does the stark presentation amplify or diminish the mystique around Joachim? It's as if they’re trying too hard to immortalize him. Curator: A fine point. It solidifies Joachim's legacy within the complex network of Renaissance courts and dynasties. A portrait in relief transcends the individual; it becomes a historical artifact, laden with meaning beyond the subject's mere likeness. His necklace perhaps? Editor: Yes, I noticed the delicate crucifix pendant amidst the formal attire. Such a stark contrast! Curator: These are tools to subtly hint to the virtue of the rulers, in that case Prince Joachim. We learn about his reign as Prince-elector of Brandenburg through his own image and how it has been crafted. Editor: Craft, yes! Now that's a fascinating angle – crafting both an image and a narrative in metal. Makes me think about propaganda in those days. Thanks! It’s certainly shifted my perspective. Curator: The pleasure was all mine. A fresh look through thoughtful eyes does so much.