Medal 16th century

This medal was created by Friedrich Hagenauer, a German artist, in the 16th century. Hagenauer made many of these small, round, cast metal objects during his lifetime. They existed in a culture of portraiture that favored the wealthy and powerful. While paintings and sculptures were ways to create lasting images for the elite, medals were more intimate and portable, more like modern photographs. Here, we see an allegorical scene, framed by an inscription. On the left, a salamander with its distinctive textured skin; on the right, a human face. Both are presented in profile and wreathed with laurel. The medal's Latin inscription translates as "Enough of wisdom; Enough of folly." These medals were collected by the middle class; in this case, the owner was likely interested in philosophy. The production of this kind of artwork was contingent on social and economic factors. Understanding these objects fully involves careful consideration of the archival resources for the period.