Gregory XIII (Ugo Buoncompagni, 1502-1585), Pope 1572 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

Behold the obverse of this exquisite bronze medal, crafted in 1582 by Bartolome Argenterio, a Italian medallist active in Renaissance Rome. Measuring just 5.82 cm in diameter and weighing 55.53, this intimate sculpture captures Pope Gregory XIII (Ugo Buoncomp, 1502–1585), who ascended to the papacy in 1572. The portrait likely features the pontiff in profile, a hallmark of classical revival in medallic art, evoking ancient Roman coins while celebrating contemporary papal authority. Dated to the pivotal year of 1582, the medal coincides with Gregory XIII's most enduring legacy: the introduction of the Gregorian calendar. This reform corrected the Julian calendar's drift, aligning ecclesiastical dates with astronomical reality through the papal bull *Inter gravissimas*. Such medals were prized Renaissance commissions, blending portraiture with propaganda to immortalize rulers and their achievements in portable, durable bronze. Argenterio's technique exemplifies the era's mastery of low-relief casting, where fine details in drapery, insignia, and physiognomy convey both realism and reverence. Now in the National Gallery of Art thanks to the gift of Lisa and Leonard Baskin, this piece invites us to ponder the intersection of art, science, and faith in the late 16th century.