Benedict XIV (Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, 1675-1758), Pope 1740 [obverse] 1743

Editor: We're looking at a bronze medal from 1743 by Ottone Hamerani, depicting Pope Benedict XIV. I find the portrait quite severe, yet somehow softened by the circular form. What stands out to you as you examine this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how these small objects carry immense symbolic weight. Note the inscriptions, abbreviated Latin encircling the profile: they are not merely labels but pronounce Benedict’s authority, linking him visually and linguistically to the lineage of pontiffs. The profile itself, carefully rendered, recalls classical precedents - the Roman emperors depicted on coins - and projects an image of strength and continuity. What effect do you think the specific material, bronze, has? Editor: Bronze feels… intentional. Solid, permanent, perhaps alluding to the enduring power of the Church? Curator: Precisely. And consider how this object would have been used – circulated, displayed, held. Each interaction reinforces the values it embodies: authority, faith, legacy. Think about the cultural memory that this single image evokes: centuries of Papal history distilled into a pocket-sized icon. Doesn’t the careful inscription serve as a crucial mnemonic device? Editor: I suppose so, in that it makes explicit what might otherwise be assumed. So, every aspect, from the material to the inscription, to even its small size, is carefully considered to convey a very specific message. Curator: Absolutely. Each detail works together to perpetuate cultural narratives and strengthen institutional power through easily reproducible imagery. What’s been your biggest takeaway? Editor: Definitely appreciating how symbols on seemingly simple objects speak volumes about history and power. Curator: And how potent imagery can be across vast stretches of time.