Piero I Medici (1464–69) 17th - 18th century

Massimiliano Soldani created this bronze medal of Piero de Medici in the late 17th or early 18th century. Here, the profile portrait—a convention that stretches back to ancient coins and imperial effigies—serves not just as a likeness but as an assertion of power and lineage. The very act of memorializing one's visage in metal, a durable and valuable material, speaks volumes. Consider the Roman emperors, whose profiles on coins not only declared their reign but also disseminated their image across vast territories. This medal, though smaller in scale, echoes that ambition. Notice how the inscription wraps around Piero's head, almost like a halo. This evokes the tradition of saintly depictions, where divine light emanates to signify holiness. Here, the Medici name is elevated, imbued with a sense of enduring legacy. It is a reminder that images have a life of their own, constantly shifting and reshaping our perceptions of the world.