Papal Medal of Benedict XIII

Art Historical Context

The Papal Medal of Benedict XIII, created by an unknown Italian artist between 1724 and 1730, offers a striking glimpse into early 18th-century papal commemoration. Cast in gilt bronze and measuring just 4.3 centimeters in diameter, the small circular work features a thin layer of gold applied over bronze, a technique that gave medals a luminous, jewel-like quality while keeping them durable and portable. Papal medals like this one functioned as both historical records and symbols of authority, often distributed to mark a pope’s reign or key events. Produced during Benedict XIII’s time in office, the piece reflects Italy’s long tradition of medal-making that blended sculptural relief with miniature portraiture. Today, this work in the Art Institute of Chicago’s European collection invites visitors to appreciate the craftsmanship behind these intimate objects, which once helped extend papal influence across courts and collections throughout Europe.

About the Artist

Italian

The designation "Italian" in art collections typically refers to an anonymous artist or a loose attribution to works from Italian schools, rather than a specific individual. With 173 known artworks in the museum's collection, this entry likely encompasses paintings by unidentified masters active across various periods, such as the Renaissance, Baroque, or later eras. Early life and personal detail...