- Personage:
-
Giovanni II Bentivoglio, Prince of Bologna (1/2)
Giovanni Bentivoglio, Prince of Bologna. born in 1443; governed Bologna from 1463 – 1508. Died 1509.
- Artist:
-
Sperandio of Mantova
—
Sculptor, Painter, Architect, Goldsmith (1435-1520).
The most prolific medallist of the 15th Century (48 medals), lived mostly in Ferrara; 5 years in Venice and 10 years in Bologna. Also worked in Milano, Faenza and Padova.
- Description:
-
Obverse: · IOANES · BETIVOLVS · BO · NON · LIBERTATIS · PRlNCEPS · Bust of Giovanni II d’Annibale Bentivoglio facing left, with long hair. He is wearing a tall round cap with edge turned up all around, close fitting coat, and a heavy chain around his neck.
Reverse: · OPVS · SPERANDEI · (in exergue). Scene: Two winged putti with sashes over their shoulders are holding a sheld (horse-head shape) with the Bentivoglio sega.
- Background:
-
Dated 1462, when Giovanni was proclaimed Princeps of the Bolognese Republic at the age of 19. The putti do not necessarily allude to his marriage in 1464 with Ginevra Sforza.
- Diameter:
- 104.4 mm. Bronze cast.
- Evaluation:
- Good patina, very little wear.
- Reference:
- Hill 355; Arm., I, 65, 7.