Ludovico Ariosto, Poet of Ferrara (1474–1533) 16th century

This bronze medal depicting Ludovico Ariosto was made by Pastorino de' Pastorini sometime in the mid-to-late 16th century. Ariosto was a prominent poet from Ferrara, Italy, best known for his epic poem "Orlando Furioso." The medal itself reflects a particular set of cultural values. Portrait medals like these, which were popular at the time, served to immortalize individuals and broadcast their achievements. The very act of commissioning such a portrait suggests something about Ariosto's social standing and the way in which artists and their patrons could collaborate to amplify one's image. The Latin inscription and the laurel wreath adorning Ariosto's head were visual cues associating him with classical learning and poetic excellence. Historical interpretations of art can use a variety of documentary sources to discover more about the status of artists in the 16th century and their patrons' cultural aspirations. Doing so situates the artwork within a specific social and institutional context.