Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere, 1443-1513), Pope 1503 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, crafted by Italian artist Girolamo Pal between 1667 and1682, captures the stern visage of Pope Julius IIGiuliano della R, 1443–1513) on its obverse side. Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter and weighing 32 grams, it exemplifies the Renaissance tradition of portrait medals—intimate, collectible sculptures that served as personal tokens of admiration for great figures. Donated to the National Gallery of Art by and Leonard Baskin, now resides in the museum's sculpture collection. Pope Julius II, who ascended to the papacy in 1503, was a transformative figure in the Renaissance, earning the nickname "Warrior Pope" for his military campaigns and unyielding ambition. A fervent patron of the arts, he commissioned Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican, embodying the era's fusion of spiritual power and humanistic revival. Paladino's medal, created over a century and a half later, reflects the enduring reverence for Julius II's legacy during the Baroque period. Struck in bronze with a precise 12:00 axis, the medal showcases masterful intaglio techniques, where intricate details emerge through relief. Such small-scale works were prized by scholars and collectors, blending sculpture's monumentality with coin-like portability, offering a tangible link to history's giants.