Elisabetta Scotti, Wife of Giovanni Alvise Gonfalanieri [obverse] after 1552

This is a bronze portrait medal of Elisabetta Scotti, wife of Giovanni Alvise Gonfalanieri, created by Pier Paolo Galeotti in the 16th century. Medals like this served as miniature monuments, circulating images of power and status among elites in Renaissance Italy. The profile view, inspired by ancient coins, lends an air of classical authority. Note the careful attention to Elisabetta’s dress and hairstyle, visual markers of her social standing. The letters “F” and “A” flank her image, likely a personal motto or family initials, adding another layer of meaning for contemporary viewers. The creation and exchange of portrait medals were deeply embedded in the social and political customs of the time. They were often commissioned to celebrate marriages or alliances between families. To fully understand the significance of this medal, we would need to delve into the archives, tracing the history of the Scotti and Gonfalanieri families and their place in the complex social fabric of Renaissance Italy.