Isotta degli Atti of Rimini, d. 1470

Matteo de' Pasti|Veronese

1446 · Bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Obverse: Following her name, in the part of the inscription that is often occupied by a sitter’s title, Isotta is said to have ornamented all Italy by her beauty and virtue, two concepts that were considered strictly interrelated. Isotta was the mistress of the Lord of Rimini. Most unusually, they went on to marry. This medal sought to legitimize their union then and forever. Reverse: Both the meaning of the gloriously observed elephant and the choice of date – 1446 – are somewhat mysterious, given that the medal was made some years afterwards. The date may mark the beginning of Isotta’s illicit love affair with the Lord of Rimini and the elephant has been interpreted as signifying fame, chastity and magnanimity.

Artist

Matteo de' Pasti|Veronese

Date

1446

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Italian

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Anne D. Thomson, 1923