Pope Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi), (b. 1599, Pope 1655–67) 1665 - 1666

This is a silver medal depicting Pope Alexander VII, made in Italy by Gasparo Morone. The medal presents a profile of the Pope, his papal robes, and inscription naming him as the supreme pontiff. We can understand this work as part of a broad effort to use images to assert papal authority, particularly in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Consider the visual codes: the profile view associates him with powerful figures in the Roman empire. His garments are carefully modeled, projecting an image of wealth and power that reflects that of the Catholic Church. The inscription demands authority and respect. In order to understand art, we have to consider the context in which it was made. Historical scholarship, analysis of visual symbols, and an understanding of the art market all help us to understand works of art as something contingent on social and institutional context.