Frederick III, 1415-1493, Holy Roman Emperor 1452 [obverse]

Bertoldo di Giovanni

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a profile relief of a man in historical attire. The man has long hair, a flowing robe with a fur-like texture around the shoulders, and wears a rounded cap. The material seems to be bronze, displaying a warm, brownish tone with traces of darker patina and a few lighter highlights. The surface shows a textured, aged finish typical of metals that have developed a natural patina over time. The medallion is designed to be suspended, as indicated by a small hole near its top edge. The surrounding text is in Latin, adding to its historical context, focusing visually on the central profile figure, offering a formal and dignified appearance.