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A Few Early Papal Medals
Iosephus
Posts: 872 ✭✭✭
I was putting together some write-ups for my records and figured I'd share them here if anyone's interested.
Sixtus IV, 1473 - Construction of the Ponte Sisto
Bronze, 40.2 mm Ø, 32.0 g
Obverse: Bust of Sixtus IV facing left, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with arabesques. Around, SIXTVS · IIII · PONT · MAX · SACRICVLTOR ("Sixtus IV, Supreme Pontiff, Connoisseur of the Sacred").
Reverse: View of the Ponte Sisto surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. Above the bridge, CVRA RERVM PVBLICARVM ("He Cares for Public Works").
Cast foundation medal by Lysippus the Younger for the construction of the Ponte Sisto. Two examples of this medal in gold were placed by the Pope in the foundation of the bridge during the ceremony for the laying of the first stone.
The ancient Pons Aurelius was erected on the Tiber River in the third century AD and had collapsed into partial ruin in 772. The Romans had taken to simply calling the bridge "ponte rotto", or "broken bridge". According to Modesti, it seems that Cardinal Francesco della Rovere lived near these ancient ruins, and lamented the fact that to the go to the Vatican he needed to cross the Tiber on the distant Ponte Sant'Angelo rather than make use of a bridge right by his house. It also seems that he had confided in someone his intention to rebuild this old bridge, if he should ever be elected Pope. Within two years of his election and taking the name Sixtus IV, he realized this intention with the architect Baccio Pontelli.
The first stone for the new bridge was laid on April 29, 1473. Work progressed swiftly such that the new bridge, now called the Ponte Sisto, was in passable condition by the time of the Holy Year of 1475. Before its construction, there were only two bridges in the region, and the Ponte Sisto was the first bridge constructed over the Tiber since antiquity. The new bridge would also help to avoid a tragedy similar to what had occurred during the previous Holy Year. On December 18, 1450, a bucking mule caused panic amongst a crowd crossing the Ponte Sant'Angelo. More than one hundred pilgrims were crushed and another two hundred fell into the Tiber and drowned. Construction on the bridge was completed by 1479.
Julius II, 1506 - The New St. Peter's Basilica
Gilt Bronze, 56.5 mm Ø, 52.3 g
Obverse: Bust of Julius II facing right, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with arabesques and icons. Around, IVLIVS · LIGVR · PAPA · SECVNDVS · MCCCCCVI ("Julius II, Ligurian, Pope, 1506").
Reverse: A shepherd, seated on a stone under an oak tree, pointing his flock of sheep towards a path leading to a gateway to an enclosure on a mountain. Around, PEDO SERVATAS OVES AD REQVIEM AGO ("The sheep that were preserved by the staff I lead to their repose").
Cast medal by Caradosso Foppa commemorating the foundation ceremony for the new St. Peter's Basilica. This is a sister medal to the more famous version showing Bramante's design for the new basilica. Modesti suggests that the version showing the building was created to serve as the foundation medal, while this version with an allegorical representation was intended to be distributed in commemoration of the laying of the first stone. The reverse illustration can be viewed as the Pope (represented by the shepherd) indicating to the faithful (the sheep) the new erection of the basilica on the Vatican Hill. The staff referred to in the reverse inscription takes on the dual meaning of a shepherd's staff and a pastoral staff. That the shepherd represents the Pope is further reinforced by the oak tree under which he sits, which is a symbol of the della Rovere family of which Julius (born Giuliano della Rovere) was from. The italian word "rovere" literally means "oak tree".
Julius II undertook to rebuild the original St. Peter's Basilica which had been erected by the emperor Constantine. Ideas had been considered during the pontificate of Nicholas V for renovating the original structure, which had fallen into ruinous shape, but Julius decided to entirely demolish it and build a new basilica. The design and construction was entrusted to the architect Donato Bramante, who drew plans for a Greek style (square) church topped by a large dome. The first stone was laid by Julius during a ceremony on April 18, 1506. Construction on the basilica would proceed for over a century, passing through the hands and many architects and popes. In the end, the final basilica retains virtually nothing of Bramante's original design.
Paul III, 1549 - Restoration of Tusculum
Bronze, 35.8 mm Ø, 25.9 g
Obverse: Bust of Paul III facing right, wearing camauro and mozzetta. Around, · PAVLVS · III · PONT · OPT · MAX · AN · XVI · · ("Paul III, Most Supreme Pontiff, in His Sixteenth Year").
Reverse: Bird's-eye view of the city of Frascati and above that the Villa Rufina. Towards the top, RVFINA , to the right, FV (F[ons] V[irginis], "Virgin Spring"), and at the bottom, TVSCVLO · REST · (Tusculo Rest[ituto], "Tusculum Restored").
Struck medal by Alessandro Cesati, called "il Grechetto", to commemorate the renovation of the town of Frascati, dubbed by Paul as the "New Tusculum", and the renovation of the Villa Rufina. There is a similar medal which lacks the "FV" on the reverse, which refers to the "Fons Virginis", or "Virgin Spring", an important nearby water source. Modesti surmises that this addition and other modifications were made to better convey an image of the region and highlight the various works which were carried out.
The town of Frascati was given by Pier Luigi Farnese to the Church in 1537 in exchange for the Duchy of Castro. Located on the Alban Hills, the town offered fresh air and beautiful landscapes. Paul (as Alessandro Farnese) had been cardinal of Frascati from 1519 to 1523 and still held great affection for the town. Paul elevated the town to the rank of a city, calling it "Tusculum Novum" after a ruined ancient Roman city in the Alban Hills. Many renovations were accomplished, including a defensive wall being constructed and embellishment of the city center.
Nearby were several vacation villas constructed by the Roman nobility, including the Villa Rufina which had been originally built by Monsignor Alessandro Rufini. The Pope enjoyed spending periods of vacation there and also renovated and enlarged it. The nearby Aqua Virgo ("Virgin Spring") provided water for the pond and gardens of Villa Rufina. It was later purchased by Orazio Falconieri and rebuilt in the 1660s on a design by Francesco Borromini. The villa is currently called the Villa Falconieri.
Pius IV, 1561 - New Fortifications of Castel Sant'Angelo
Bronze, 32.9 mm Ø, 21.0 g
Obverse: Bust of Pius IV facing right, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with a scene of a papal audience. Around, · PIVS · III · PON · MAX · O · P · ("Pius IV, Supreme Pontiff and Most High Prince").
Reverse: Bird's-eye view of Castel Sant'Angelo and the pentagonal fortifications around it. Above and around to the right, · INSTAVRATA · ("Constructed").
Struck foundation medal by Alessandro Cesati, called "il Grechetto", for the new fortifications of Castel Sant'Angelo. Examples in gold and silver were placed into the foundation during the ceremony of laying the first stone, celebrated by Pius on May 8, 1561.
Built on the Tiber River, Castel Sant'Angelo was originally a tomb commissioned by the emperor Hadrian and built between 135 and 139 AD. Over time, the popes took over use of it, turning it into a castle and fortress. Paul IV had first built pentagonal fortifications around Castel Sant'Angelo in an attempt to make it impregnable. However, that work had been carried out using compressed soil. On September 15, 1557, the Tiber flooded to a height of 18.9 meters (62 feet) above sea level and destroyed the earthen fortifications. Pius rebuilt the fortifications using the same plans, but this time using sturdier brick masonry. Work proceeded swiftly under architect Francesco Laparelli (perhaps due to frequent visits by the Pope) and was completed by 1565.
Sixtus IV, 1473 - Construction of the Ponte Sisto
Bronze, 40.2 mm Ø, 32.0 g
Obverse: Bust of Sixtus IV facing left, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with arabesques. Around, SIXTVS · IIII · PONT · MAX · SACRICVLTOR ("Sixtus IV, Supreme Pontiff, Connoisseur of the Sacred").
Reverse: View of the Ponte Sisto surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. Above the bridge, CVRA RERVM PVBLICARVM ("He Cares for Public Works").
Cast foundation medal by Lysippus the Younger for the construction of the Ponte Sisto. Two examples of this medal in gold were placed by the Pope in the foundation of the bridge during the ceremony for the laying of the first stone.
The ancient Pons Aurelius was erected on the Tiber River in the third century AD and had collapsed into partial ruin in 772. The Romans had taken to simply calling the bridge "ponte rotto", or "broken bridge". According to Modesti, it seems that Cardinal Francesco della Rovere lived near these ancient ruins, and lamented the fact that to the go to the Vatican he needed to cross the Tiber on the distant Ponte Sant'Angelo rather than make use of a bridge right by his house. It also seems that he had confided in someone his intention to rebuild this old bridge, if he should ever be elected Pope. Within two years of his election and taking the name Sixtus IV, he realized this intention with the architect Baccio Pontelli.
The first stone for the new bridge was laid on April 29, 1473. Work progressed swiftly such that the new bridge, now called the Ponte Sisto, was in passable condition by the time of the Holy Year of 1475. Before its construction, there were only two bridges in the region, and the Ponte Sisto was the first bridge constructed over the Tiber since antiquity. The new bridge would also help to avoid a tragedy similar to what had occurred during the previous Holy Year. On December 18, 1450, a bucking mule caused panic amongst a crowd crossing the Ponte Sant'Angelo. More than one hundred pilgrims were crushed and another two hundred fell into the Tiber and drowned. Construction on the bridge was completed by 1479.
Julius II, 1506 - The New St. Peter's Basilica
Gilt Bronze, 56.5 mm Ø, 52.3 g
Obverse: Bust of Julius II facing right, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with arabesques and icons. Around, IVLIVS · LIGVR · PAPA · SECVNDVS · MCCCCCVI ("Julius II, Ligurian, Pope, 1506").
Reverse: A shepherd, seated on a stone under an oak tree, pointing his flock of sheep towards a path leading to a gateway to an enclosure on a mountain. Around, PEDO SERVATAS OVES AD REQVIEM AGO ("The sheep that were preserved by the staff I lead to their repose").
Cast medal by Caradosso Foppa commemorating the foundation ceremony for the new St. Peter's Basilica. This is a sister medal to the more famous version showing Bramante's design for the new basilica. Modesti suggests that the version showing the building was created to serve as the foundation medal, while this version with an allegorical representation was intended to be distributed in commemoration of the laying of the first stone. The reverse illustration can be viewed as the Pope (represented by the shepherd) indicating to the faithful (the sheep) the new erection of the basilica on the Vatican Hill. The staff referred to in the reverse inscription takes on the dual meaning of a shepherd's staff and a pastoral staff. That the shepherd represents the Pope is further reinforced by the oak tree under which he sits, which is a symbol of the della Rovere family of which Julius (born Giuliano della Rovere) was from. The italian word "rovere" literally means "oak tree".
Julius II undertook to rebuild the original St. Peter's Basilica which had been erected by the emperor Constantine. Ideas had been considered during the pontificate of Nicholas V for renovating the original structure, which had fallen into ruinous shape, but Julius decided to entirely demolish it and build a new basilica. The design and construction was entrusted to the architect Donato Bramante, who drew plans for a Greek style (square) church topped by a large dome. The first stone was laid by Julius during a ceremony on April 18, 1506. Construction on the basilica would proceed for over a century, passing through the hands and many architects and popes. In the end, the final basilica retains virtually nothing of Bramante's original design.
Paul III, 1549 - Restoration of Tusculum
Bronze, 35.8 mm Ø, 25.9 g
Obverse: Bust of Paul III facing right, wearing camauro and mozzetta. Around, · PAVLVS · III · PONT · OPT · MAX · AN · XVI · · ("Paul III, Most Supreme Pontiff, in His Sixteenth Year").
Reverse: Bird's-eye view of the city of Frascati and above that the Villa Rufina. Towards the top, RVFINA , to the right, FV (F[ons] V[irginis], "Virgin Spring"), and at the bottom, TVSCVLO · REST · (Tusculo Rest[ituto], "Tusculum Restored").
Struck medal by Alessandro Cesati, called "il Grechetto", to commemorate the renovation of the town of Frascati, dubbed by Paul as the "New Tusculum", and the renovation of the Villa Rufina. There is a similar medal which lacks the "FV" on the reverse, which refers to the "Fons Virginis", or "Virgin Spring", an important nearby water source. Modesti surmises that this addition and other modifications were made to better convey an image of the region and highlight the various works which were carried out.
The town of Frascati was given by Pier Luigi Farnese to the Church in 1537 in exchange for the Duchy of Castro. Located on the Alban Hills, the town offered fresh air and beautiful landscapes. Paul (as Alessandro Farnese) had been cardinal of Frascati from 1519 to 1523 and still held great affection for the town. Paul elevated the town to the rank of a city, calling it "Tusculum Novum" after a ruined ancient Roman city in the Alban Hills. Many renovations were accomplished, including a defensive wall being constructed and embellishment of the city center.
Nearby were several vacation villas constructed by the Roman nobility, including the Villa Rufina which had been originally built by Monsignor Alessandro Rufini. The Pope enjoyed spending periods of vacation there and also renovated and enlarged it. The nearby Aqua Virgo ("Virgin Spring") provided water for the pond and gardens of Villa Rufina. It was later purchased by Orazio Falconieri and rebuilt in the 1660s on a design by Francesco Borromini. The villa is currently called the Villa Falconieri.
Pius IV, 1561 - New Fortifications of Castel Sant'Angelo
Bronze, 32.9 mm Ø, 21.0 g
Obverse: Bust of Pius IV facing right, bareheaded and wearing a cope decorated with a scene of a papal audience. Around, · PIVS · III · PON · MAX · O · P · ("Pius IV, Supreme Pontiff and Most High Prince").
Reverse: Bird's-eye view of Castel Sant'Angelo and the pentagonal fortifications around it. Above and around to the right, · INSTAVRATA · ("Constructed").
Struck foundation medal by Alessandro Cesati, called "il Grechetto", for the new fortifications of Castel Sant'Angelo. Examples in gold and silver were placed into the foundation during the ceremony of laying the first stone, celebrated by Pius on May 8, 1561.
Built on the Tiber River, Castel Sant'Angelo was originally a tomb commissioned by the emperor Hadrian and built between 135 and 139 AD. Over time, the popes took over use of it, turning it into a castle and fortress. Paul IV had first built pentagonal fortifications around Castel Sant'Angelo in an attempt to make it impregnable. However, that work had been carried out using compressed soil. On September 15, 1557, the Tiber flooded to a height of 18.9 meters (62 feet) above sea level and destroyed the earthen fortifications. Pius rebuilt the fortifications using the same plans, but this time using sturdier brick masonry. Work proceeded swiftly under architect Francesco Laparelli (perhaps due to frequent visits by the Pope) and was completed by 1565.
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