Gianfrancesco Trivulzio, 1504-1573, Marquess of Vigevano 1518 and Count of Mesocco 1518-1549 [obverse] c. 1543

This bronze medal of Gianfrancesco Trivulzio was crafted by Pier Paolo Galeotti, likely around the mid-16th century. The circular form, a topos of Renaissance portraiture, immediately presents a structured and self-contained world. The profile of Trivulzio, meticulously rendered, dominates the composition. Note how Galeotti masterfully employs the relief to model form and texture: from the sinuous lines defining Trivulzio's hair and beard, to the intricate details of his garment, creating a tactile and visually engaging surface. The inscription that frames the portrait isn't just informative; it functions as a semiotic system, encoding the subject's identity, status and aspirations. The medal's materiality – the cool, solid bronze – further imbues the portrait with a sense of permanence, reflecting the sitter's desire to be remembered. This interplay between form and content underscores how Renaissance art often served as a powerful tool for constructing identity and asserting authority.