Innocent XIII (Pope 1721–24) 1721

This is Ermenegildo Hamerani’s bronze medal of Innocent XIII, made sometime between 1721 and 1724. The circular form contains the profile of Pope Innocent XIII facing right, framed by an inscription that curves along the edge. Hamerani has carefully modeled the Pope’s features, capturing the texture of his skin and the folds of his garments. The formal qualities of the medal—the stark relief, the crispness of the lines, and the monochromatic palette—create a sense of austere authority. Consider how the artist has used the limited space to convey a sense of power and presence. The inscription, meticulously arranged, serves not only to identify the subject but also to emphasize the circular boundary, reinforcing the medal's self-contained nature. This form invites us to reflect on the ways in which power is not just represented but also contained within symbolic forms. The medal, in its totality, functions as a sign, pointing to the complex interplay of representation, power, and interpretation.