Saint Bernardino of Siena, 1380-1444, Canonized 1450 [obverse] c. 1444 - 1450

This is an obverse of a bronze medal by Antonio Marescotti, commemorating Saint Bernardino of Siena, who lived from 1380 to 1444. The material, bronze, is critical to understanding this artwork. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, chosen for its durability and ability to capture fine detail through the process of casting. To create this medal, Marescotti would have first sculpted a model, likely in wax or clay. This model would then be used to create a mold, into which molten bronze was poured. Once cooled, the mold would be broken, revealing the cast medal, which could then be further refined through chasing and polishing. This skilled process, demanding both artistic vision and technical expertise, elevates the status of the medal beyond mere functionality. The bronze itself, with its weighty presence and warm, lustrous surface, imbues the image of Saint Bernardino with a sense of timeless authority. The making is integral to the meaning. By attending to these processes, we can appreciate the medal not just as a portrait, but as a testament to human ingenuity and devotion.