Lorenz Truchsess von Pommersfelden, 1473-1543, Dean of the Cathedral of Mainz [obverse] 

This silver medal presents a profile of Lorenz Truchsess von Pommersfelden, Dean of the Cathedral of Mainz, crafted by Matthes Gebel. The medal's circular form and metallic surface render a contemplative atmosphere, inviting us to consider the interplay between form and representation. Notice how Gebel uses line and relief to sculpt the Dean's features. The lines of his face, the texture of his clothing, and the lettering surrounding the portrait, all contribute to a semiotic system. The medal operates within the cultural codes of Renaissance portraiture, yet its form—a small, handheld object—destabilizes the traditional monumental scale associated with portraits of powerful figures. The incised lines across the surface serve to create light and shadow, giving form to the portrait and adding depth. This is not just a rendering of a face, but an exploration of how form and material can represent identity and power. The medal remains an object of ongoing interpretation, where its structure and materiality invite us to decode its meanings.