Medal: Federigo da Montefeltro 1471 - 1474

This is a medal of Federigo da Montefeltro by Filarete, created in bronze during the Early Renaissance. The circular form immediately draws the eye, and the use of bronze provides a tactile sense of weight and permanence. The profile portrait is sharply rendered, set against a flat background, emphasizing line and contour. The medal's structure operates on multiple levels. The circular shape, reminiscent of ancient coins, speaks to a revival of classical forms. The incised lettering along the edge acts as a frame, containing and defining the portrait within. This creates a semiotic system, where the image and text combine to convey power and status. Federigo’s gaze directs our own, subtly guiding the viewer’s perspective. The medal functions not merely as a portrait but as a carefully constructed object of power. It invites ongoing interpretation of how identity and authority were crafted and circulated in Renaissance society.