Phoenix on a Pyre [reverse] 1527

This is a bronze medal of circular form by Giovanni Maria Pomedelli, created around 1527. The dominant image is a phoenix engulfed in flames, rendered with remarkable detail within the confines of the small disc. Notice how the concentric arrangement of text, punctuated rim, and the phoenix directs our gaze to the center, evoking both the cyclical nature of time and the transformative power of fire. The phoenix, a symbol of rebirth, rises powerfully, its wings stretching out, suggesting a triumph over destruction. The flames, though destructive, are meticulously depicted, their sinuous forms adding a dynamic tension to the composition. Pomedelli uses the circular format not merely as a boundary, but as a structural element that reinforces the theme of eternal return. The choice of bronze, with its warm, earthy tones, enhances the tactile quality of the medal, inviting a close, almost intimate examination. The inscription is not simply a label but an integral part of the visual experience, framing and contextualizing the central image. Pomedelli’s Phoenix becomes more than just an emblem; it is a potent symbol embedded in a sophisticated interplay of form and meaning.