Giovanni II Bentivoglio

Giovanni II Bentivoglio (1443-1508) was the ruler of the city-republic of Bologna. In his strategies for self-promotion, he followed the example of the northern Italian courts, Namely Milan and Ferrara, striving to demonstrate his “magnificenza’ through numerous projects. He pressed ahead with numerous religious donations, such as the Oratory of St Cecilia, and the family chapel in San Giacomo Maggiore, which was richly decorated with paintings and sculptures. As part of his self-presentation, likenesses of Giovanni and of the Bentivoglio family occupied a prominent place; along with numerous medals bearing his head, as many as three painted portraits of Giovanni survive.

Sperandio created a total of three medals that bear Giovanni II Bentivoglio’s likeness, the present medal is the final one in this series. The obverse of this medal shows a profile bust, in armour, facing right. His hair is in a style typical in northern Italy at the end of the fifteenth century. On the reverse he is shown in armour and on horseback, riding toward the left and holding the commander’s baton. The richly decorated horse blanket is emblazoned with the Bentivoglio family crest.