Pope Nicholas V (obverse), Nicholas V in the Ship “Eclesia” (reverse)
Andrea Guacioloti
Description
March 28, 2009
This medal commemorating Pope Nicholas V (reigned 1447–1454) initiated a tradition at the Vatican of issuing papal medals, which continues today. The artist Pisanello first created medals about 1438 to honor notable individuals and their deeds, character, or social standing. Following the standards established by earlier medals, the front of this medal presents a profile portrait of Nicholas V with an identifying inscription around the border. The reverse represents the pontiff, with cross-staff in hand, confidently steering a boat labeled “Eclesia,” or “The Church.” This vignette embodies Nicholas V’s driving ambition to restore the pope as the sole head of the Catholic Church in the wake of formidable challenges to papal authority.
Subject Matter:
This medal commemorates Pope Nicholas V (r. 1447–1454), who appears in a profile portrait on the front (obverse) of the medal along with an identifying inscription. The reverse represents the pontiff, cross-staff in hand, confidently steering a boat labeled “Eclesia,” or “The Church.”
Physical Description:
The obverse of this medal depicts a profile portrait of a man with a tonsure. The reverse represents a man holding a cross-staff piloting a boat labeled "Eclesia" along the gunwale. Both sides of the medal have inscriptions around the edge.
Usage Rights:
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