
Antoine Perrenot
- Object:
Medal
- Place of origin:
Italy (made)
- Date:
second half of 16th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Melon, Giovanni V. (medallist)
- Materials and Techniques:
Bronze
- Museum number:
A.278-1910
- Gallery location:
In Storage
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.