Anna Maurella Oldofredi d'Iseo [obverse] c. late 16th century

Giovanni Battista Cambio, also known as Bombarda, created this bronze medal of Anna Maurella Oldofredi d'Iseo in Italy sometime between 1540 and 1575. The image of Anna, with her elaborate hairstyle and jewelry, speaks to the importance of family and status in Renaissance Italy. The medal format itself, inspired by ancient Roman coins, was a popular way for elites to commemorate themselves and their achievements. It reflects a humanist interest in individual accomplishment, diverging from earlier artistic traditions tied to religious institutions. Bombarda's work also illuminates the role of the artist as a skilled craftsman, producing luxury goods for wealthy patrons. It demonstrates how portraiture began to focus less on religious figures and more on celebrating individual identity and accomplishments. To fully appreciate the social context of this medal, one might research the Oldofredi family, their place in the political landscape of Iseo, and the specific occasions for which such medals were commissioned. This would enable us to better understand the medal's role in constructing and communicating social status in its time.