Francesco da Sangallo and Elena Marsupini, his wife

Art Historical Context

This intimate bronze medal, created by the Florentine sculptor and architect Francesco da Sangallo in 1, captures profile portraits of the artist himself and his wife Elena Marsupini. just over 3 inches in diameter it exemplifies the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, where small-scale medals served as personal emblems, gifts, or memorials—much like ancient Roman coins. Cast in bronze, a durable medium prized for its warm patina and ability to convey fine details, the plaquette showcases Sangallo's mastery of low-relief sculpture. Profiles evoke the dignified gravitas of Greco-Roman portraiture, a hallmark of the Italian Renaissance, blending realism with idealized beauty. Sangallo, a pupil of Jacopo Sansovino and part of Florence's vibrant artistic circle, likely produced this as a self-commemorative piece during a period of personal or professional milestone. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this medal offers a rare glimpse into 16th-century domestic life among Renaissance elites, highlighting the era's emphasis on family legacy and artistic self-fashioning. A testament to Florence's enduring legacy in medallic art, it invites visitors to appreciate the artistry in everyday commemoration.