Konrad Peutinger
by SCHWARZ, Hans, Bronze, diameter 8,9 cm
Portrait medals, popular in Italy since the early fifteenth century, caught on more slowly in northern Europe. In spite of several isolated examples, the taste for medallic portraits did not blossom until the late 1510s in southern Germany. In 1517-18 Augsburg’s sculptor Hans Schwarz devised medals of local antiquarian Konrad Peutinger, artist Hans Burgkmair, banker Jacob Fugger and several nobles. Peutinger’s high relief medal emulates the ancient sculptural busts and coins that he admired. This highly personalized and dignified portrait inspired some delegates attending the 1518 imperial diet in Augsburg to order their own medals.