17th century, Reliefs depicting Pope Innocent XI and Pius V 

early seventeenth century

Reliefs depicting Pope Innocent XI and Pius V

(2) Marble, diameter 29 cm

The two artefacts in question, a rare pair of marble tondi dating back to the 17th century, respectively represent the pontiffs Innocent They can be considered real papal effigies, commissioned when the pontiffs were still alive and exhibited for public use.

Created on both pictorial and sculptural media, since ancient times papal portraiture was placed in the context of portraiture typologies linked to power, in close relationship with the supreme spiritual and charismatic function that the Church recognized in the Roman pontiff, both as Vicar of May Christ be – until 1870 – as sovereign of the Papal State. The portrait scheme was, consequently, perfectly functional for this role, in an immediately understandable recognition mechanism. The diffusion of this type of artefacts confirms the importance of the reference to the ancient as legitimation of the social position and cultural dignity of the character represented: the tondos, in fact, take up the idea of ​​the commemorative medal and, above all, the iconography of numismatics ancient Roman age, in particular from the Imperial Age, ideally establishing a link with classical antiquity. These portraits had an extraordinary success, starting from the Renaissance age, thanks to the perfectly calibrated combination of idealization and realism, which pushed many rich Italians to emulate them. This is how sculpted roundels and medals that possessed an official character, celebrating popes and sovereigns, scientists and illustrious men, have come down to the present day.

In particular, the two tondos respectively portray on the left Benedetto Odescalchi, from a family of merchants from Como, who was elected pope with the name of Innocent XI in 1676. Strongly dedicated to the mission of spreading the faith, he was a pope of great humanity. He financed numerous missions and lived modestly. He was declared blessed in 1956 by Pius XII; on the right, however, is depicted Pope Pius V, born Antonio (aka Michele) Ghislieri (1504 –1572), Dominican theologian and inquisitor who worked for the reform of the Church according to the dictates of the Council of Trent. With San Carlo Borromeo and Sant'Ignazio di Loyola he is considered among the main architects and promoters of the Counter-Reformation. His figure is also linked to the establishment of the Holy League and the victorious Battle of Lepanto (1571). He was beatified in 1672 by Pope Clement X and canonized on 22 May 1712 by Pope Clement XI.

The object is in good condition

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