Shields and Helm [reverse] 1529

This small medal was made in Germany by Matthes Gebel in 1530. The emblems of a shield and helmet along with the inscription, evoke ideas of honor and military prowess, concepts that carry significant social weight. The image creates meaning through visual codes associated with knighthood and nobility. The presence of Latin text signals the cultural influence of the Roman Empire. Germany at this time was undergoing profound social upheaval during the Reformation. The imagery of armor and heraldry are self-consciously conservative, harking back to a traditional social order amidst widespread religious and political change. The medal then, becomes a statement about power and authority during times of uncertainty. To understand this medal fully, we might turn to period texts on heraldry, social histories of the German Reformation, and numismatic catalogs. These resources enrich our understanding of art as contingent on its social and institutional context.