Medal 1450 - 1499

This bronze medal was made by Savelli Sperandio, an artist working in Italy in the late 15th century. Here we see a portrait of Giovanni Bentivoglio, a powerful nobleman from Bologna. The medal reflects the social hierarchies of Renaissance Italy, where patronage from wealthy elites was central to artistic production. The inscription surrounding the portrait, "NON LIBERTATIS PRINCEPS," suggests Bentivoglio’s ambiguous position as a de facto ruler who wished to distance himself from being called "prince." Sperandio’s skill in rendering Bentivoglio's likeness, as well as the Latin inscription, speaks to the classical learning valued by those in power. Historians use objects like this to understand the complex negotiations of power in Renaissance society. By studying primary documents, such as letters and legal records, alongside the art itself, we can gain deeper insight into the political dynamics of the time.