Giovanni Alessandro Balbiani, Count of Chiavenna, Captain in the Army of Georg van Frundsberg 1529

Friedrich Hagenauer created this bronze medal, portraying Giovanni Alessandro Balbiani, in the early 16th century. The circular form immediately draws the eye, its edges defining the space within which Balbiani's profile is etched. The artist employs a relief technique, the figure raised against the flat plane, creating depth and shadow that animate the Count's features and attire. The inscription forms a ring, framing the central image, each letter a deliberate mark contributing to the medal's overall texture. The lettering creates a semiotic interplay between text and image, inviting us to decode the signs of power and identity in Renaissance portraiture. The calculated arrangement of elements, from the curve of Balbiani's nose to the folds of his garment, speaks to a concern with structure and order. Consider how the medal's form—a perfect circle—might symbolize completeness or authority. This isn't just a portrait; it's a statement, Hagenauer using form to communicate complex ideas about status and representation.