Giovanni II Bentivoglio, 1443-1509, Lord of Bologna 1462-1506 [obverse] 1494

Francesco Francia created this bronze medal of Giovanni II Bentivoglio, Lord of Bologna, in Italy, sometime between 1462 and 1506. This small object isn’t just a portrait; it’s a carefully constructed piece of political messaging, speaking volumes about power and status in Renaissance Italy. The profile view, reminiscent of ancient Roman coins, immediately connects Bentivoglio to the authority and grandeur of the classical world, visually legitimizing his rule. The inscription surrounding the portrait further emphasizes his identity and authority as the Lord of Bologna. Francia, who worked for the Bentivoglio family, would have understood the importance of visual communication in shaping public perception. To fully grasp the medal's significance, we need to examine the social and political context of Bologna at the time, researching the Bentivoglio’s relationship with other powerful families, and investigating the role of art in shaping political identities. This medal reminds us that art always exists within, and actively shapes, its social and institutional context.