Overwinningen op de Fransen bij Cannae, in de buurt van Cerignola en aan de rivier Garigliano, ter ere van Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba

About this artwork

Bronzen penning met draagoog. Voorzijde: borststuk man met binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: veldslag binnen omschrift

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, crafted by Italian medallist Annibale Fontana 1503, measures just 6 cm in diameter and celebrates the of Spanish general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, as the Great Captain. The obverse features a detailed bust of the honored commander encircled by an inner inscription, while the reverse vividly depicts a chaotic battlefield scene—evoking the decisive victories over French forces near Cerignola, along the Garigliano River, in the vicinity of ancient Cannae—also framed by text. A subtle "dragon's eye" loop suggests it was designed for wearing or display, blending portraiture with historical narrative. Cast in bronze, a favored medium for Renaissance medals, this small artwork exemplifies the era's fascination with portable commemorative art. Medals like this one served as propaganda tools, immortalizing military heroes amid the Italian Wars (1494–1559), where Spain vied for dominance in Naples. Córdoba's 1503 wins at Cerignola—Europe's first major pitched battle won by gunpowder infantry—and Garigliano marked turning points, showcasing innovative tactics that shifted warfare from knights to combined arms. Fontana's precise casting captures the drama of conflict in miniature, making grand history intimate and wearable. A testament to Renaissance humanism, it honors not just battles but the strategic genius that reshaped Europe’s power balance.

About the Artist

Annibale Fontana · 1540–1587

Comment on works: sculptor; medalist