Capricorn and Stars [reverse] c. 1537

Curator: This intriguing bronze relief is "Capricorn and Stars," crafted around 1537 by Domenico di Polo de' Vetri. It presents an allegorical representation in the form of a medal. Editor: Right, allegorical, got it. My first thought, though? That little goat looks like it's about to leap off the edge of the world. Curator: It's a potent image, rendered in the exacting method typical of Renaissance bronze work. Consider the mold-making, the lost wax casting technique...the sheer labor involved in achieving that level of detail. Editor: Oh, absolutely, the process. I can almost smell the hot metal, see the artisan hunched over it. But still... there's this almost frantic energy radiating from that creature, set against the quiet certainty of the stars. Does it have to do with that circular inscription, almost trapping it inside? Curator: The inscription, indeed, offers clues. It seems to allude to fate, trust, and awareness, possibly tied to astrological beliefs of the time. These medals functioned as markers of identity, circulating within elite social circles. Editor: So it’s about understanding one’s fate, finding assurance despite destiny nipping at your heels? Because this feels more profound than just a pretty astrological trinket. It is also interesting that it doesn't resemble other portraits of the period. It almost looks like a political statement on a coin. Curator: Certainly, such objects would have carried socio-political weight, operating within networks of patronage and exchange. Medals provided ways of self-fashioning. This highlights the intersection of artistry, materials, and human interaction. Editor: Okay, thinking of it as a message in metal really clicks, though. That image becomes so potent, such a concentrated expression of yearning and self-knowledge...almost a prayer. And I bet people at the time interpreted it quite personally depending on how life treated them. Curator: Precisely. Reflecting on the original owner now...their experiences, the tactile connection they would have had to this object daily… it opens a window onto another era. Editor: Indeed. Considering both artistry and how such a thing traveled around and affected those who carried it with them makes you wonder of your own path to knowing. It's like carrying your stars and your goat on your person, ready to leap.