Portrait medal of Philip II (obverse); Mary Tudor Queen of England (reverse) 1555

Jacopo Nizolla da Trezzo made this portrait medal of Philip II and Mary Tudor, Queen of England. This medal offers a fascinating glimpse into the political theater of 16th-century Europe. Medals like these were not mere decorations, but carefully crafted propaganda tools. They circulated among the elite, reinforcing the power and legitimacy of the rulers they depicted. Notice the idealized features of Philip and Mary. Such imagery aimed to project an aura of strength and authority. It was made during a time of intense religious and political upheaval. England, under Mary Tudor, was attempting to restore Catholicism, aligning itself with Spain, the most powerful Catholic nation in Europe. We can consider how the institutions of monarchy and the church influenced the production of art. This medal presents a self-consciously conservative image that sought to legitimize the reign of Philip and Mary in the face of religious dissent. To understand this medal fully, art historians would delve into the archives, examining diplomatic correspondence and court records to understand the context. This helps us understand art's complex role in reflecting and shaping social and institutional power.