To Commemorate the Pazzi Conspiracy, 1478
Obverse: Medals of rulers were thought inappropriate in republican Florence. This piece commemorates the 1478 attack in Florence Cathedral on the Medici, first citizens but not rulers of the city. To make it acceptable, it flouts the rules of medals by combining portrait and narrative on both sides. This side, labeled ‘Public grief’, shows the head and, below, the murder of Giuliano de’ Medici, Lorenzo’s younger brother.
Reverse: Modeled and cast in 1478, immediately after Lorenzo de’ Medici survived a murderous attack in Florence Cathedral, this medal renders the events of the day timeless and heroic by giving them a classicizing character. Though both Lorenzo’s features and, below, the choir of the Cathedral are clearly recognizable, the sitter is given classical draperies while the protagonists are depicted nude.
Reverse: Modeled and cast in 1478, immediately after Lorenzo de’ Medici survived a murderous attack in Florence Cathedral, this medal renders the events of the day timeless and heroic by giving them a classicizing character. Though both Lorenzo’s features and, below, the choir of the Cathedral are clearly recognizable, the sitter is given classical draperies while the protagonists are depicted nude.
Artwork Details
- Title: To Commemorate the Pazzi Conspiracy, 1478
- Artist: Medalist: Bertoldo di Giovanni (Italian, born Florence (?) ca. 1430–40, died 1491 Poggio a Caiano)
- Date: 1478
- Culture: Italian, Florence
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: Diameter: 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
- Classification: Medals and Plaquettes
- Credit Line: Bequest of Anne D. Thomson, 1923
- Object Number: 23.280.44
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Bertoldo di Giovanni
model 1480 (old aftercast)
Bertoldo di Giovanni
1469
Bertoldo di Giovanni
ca. 1468–69
Bertoldo di Giovanni
1478
Bertoldo di Giovanni
1430–40
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.