Ginevra Sforza, 1442-1507, Wife of GIovanni II Bentivoglio 1464 c. 1464

This lead alloy medal portraying Ginevra Sforza was created by Antonio Marescotti around 1464 in Italy. The medal exemplifies the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, reviving the tradition of portrait medals used to commemorate individuals and events, and to circulate likenesses. This particular medal highlights the status and identity of Ginevra Sforza, wife of Giovanni II Bentivoglio, ruler of Bologna. In Renaissance Italy, powerful families like the Sforza and Bentivoglio used art as a tool to assert their authority and cultivate a public image. Portrait medals, often produced in multiples, served as a form of propaganda, circulating idealized representations of rulers and their consorts amongst elites. They acted as symbols of power and dynastic ambition. The image creates meaning through both visual codes and historical associations. Sforza's profile, her elaborate hairstyle, and costly garments signal her noble status. The inscription around the perimeter further emphasizes her identity and marital connection. To truly understand this artwork, one needs to delve into the social and political context of Renaissance Italy, researching the history of the Sforza and Bentivoglio families.