Isotta Atti Malatesta (d. 1470) c. 1902

Curator: This is a bronze portrait medal of Isotta Atti Malatesta, who died in 1470. It is an anonymous work, but the craftsmanship is exquisite. What strikes you most? Editor: The texture! The elephant on the reverse side especially—you can almost feel the roughness of its skin. The process of casting must have been meticulous. Curator: Absolutely. And consider Isotta herself—a woman of power within the Renaissance court. Her image, juxtaposed with the elephant, speaks volumes about status, gender, and the exotic. Editor: It's fascinating how the material itself, bronze, elevates both subject and symbol. It lends a sense of permanence and value, connecting them to a broader historical narrative of power structures. Curator: Indeed, the medal serves as both art object and historical document, reflecting Isotta's identity and the era's socio-political complexities. Editor: The hands-on labor and deliberate materiality really make it a compelling object. Curator: Agreed, seeing it through that lens adds a unique layer to its enduring story.