Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta (1417-1468), lord of Rimini, Fano, and Cesena, one of the most noted condottieri of the age, clearly understood both the commemorative and diplomatic potential of medallic portraiture. Inspired by the medals cast in Milan, he commissioned two medals from Pisanello about 1445, which depict him in field armour and are decorated with heraldic devices. Shortly thereafter, he employed Matteo de’ Pasti, who produced at least sixteen different medals bearing either his likeness or that of his mistress and later wife, Isotta degli Atti.

On the obverse portraits by Matteo, Sigismondo appears in profile facing to the left, wearing elegant court dress, as on the present medal, less often Sigismondo is depicted in armour. In contrast to Pisanello, whose design for the reverse of the medal suggests a narrative, Matteo made a specialty of focusing on a single imposing element. He did that here with the majestic forms of the newly built castle of Rimini, the first medal to feature an architectural subject.