Martin Luther (obverse); Double Circle and monogram (reverse)

Inscriptions

Reverse: monogram AD with initials DML and date 1526

Label

Portrait medals were important components of making and remembering the past. In particular, the portrait medal was a key means of making history between 1400 and 1750. Echoing the form of ancient coins, which were sought after by early modern collectors, portrait medals celebrated contemporary people and events as they occurred, supplementing written documents. While kings and emperors were obvious subjects for such medals, which could be made at the time of important battles or treaties, religious leaders and even wealthy merchants were also commemorated in metal. Preserving the likenesses of individuals on one side and allegories of their deeds on the other, portrait medals forged links to the past, preserved the present, and anticipated the future.

From the 2024 exhibition Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, curated by Elizabeth Rice Mattison, Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Academic Programming and Curator of European Art, and Ashley B. Offill, Curator of Collections

Course History

History 42.01, Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies 22.01, Gender & European Society, Patrick Meehan, Spring 2024

History 96.39, Saints and Relics, Cecilia Gaposchkin, Spring 2024

Italian 1.01, Introductory Italian I, Noemi Perego, Spring 2024

Italian 11.01, Intensive Italian, Floriana Ciniglia, Spring 2024

Italian 2.01, Introductory Italian II, Floriana Ciniglia, Spring 2024

Italian 3.01, Introductory Italian III, Tania Convertini, Spring 2024

Italian 3.02, Introductory Italian III, Giorgio Alberti, Spring 2024

Exhibition History

Living with Sculpture: Presence and Power in Europe, 1400–1750, Citrin Family Gallery and Engles Family Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, March 23, 2024–March 22, 2025.

Publication History

Roger Arvid Anderson, The Roger Arvid Anderson Collection, Medals, Medallions, Plaquettes and Small Reliefs, Paintings, Sculpture, Works on Paper and Textiles, San Francisco: Roger Arvid Anderson (published privately), design by David L. Wilson, 2015, p. 79.

Provenance

European art market; sold to Roger Arvid Anderson, San Francisco, California, date unknown; lent to present collection, 2011; given to present collection, 2016.

Catalogue Raisonne

Habich, No. 672; Mede, No. 63

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Subject