Jakob von Strasbourg, Linguist 

This silver medal portraying Jakob von Strasbourg was crafted by Friedrich Hagenauer during the Renaissance. The profile portrait, reminiscent of ancient Roman coinage, is encircled by text denoting Strasbourg’s linguistic prowess. The choice of profile, a convention revived during the Renaissance, links Strasbourg to the esteemed figures of antiquity. This echoes a broader cultural trend of looking back to classical antiquity for models of virtue and intellectual achievement. Consider how rulers and scholars throughout history have adopted similar visual languages to assert authority and wisdom, from the Roman emperors to the humanists of the Renaissance. The very act of creating a medal ensures memory, linking Strasbourg to a long lineage of commemorated figures. The symbol of the profile, therefore, becomes a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of history. It represents our enduring human desire to connect with and emulate the achievements of the past.