A nude artist?

The obverse of this medal is an attempt to emulate the ancient busts that could be found on Roman coins. The obverse portrays a nude bust of Donato Bramante facing left. The left forearm has been partly cut off to convey the perspective of an ancient marble portrait. Although attempting to emulate an ancient style, the medal is actually innovative in a great number of ways.

The nude bust is something that is only rarely found on ancient coinage. It is actually a visual translation of the ancient marble bust on a medal. The ‘heroic’ nakedness on the medal was probably inspired by the busts of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius and the ancient Greek architect and advisor to Alexander the Great, Dinocrates. Literary sources indicate that both ancient architects were depicted as naked busts in antiquity. This most likely served as the inspiration for the nakedness of Bramante on this medal.

Another possible reason for the naked bust also relates to the ancient architect Dinocrates. The Roman architect Vitruvius tells us that Dinocrates took off his clothes to get the attention of his commissioner Alexander the Great. Vitruvius subsequently informs the reader that Dinocrates’ strange act paid off in the end when Alexander approved his architectural work: ​​’I admire the grand outline of your scheme, and am well pleased with it’ (Footnote Vitruvius, de Architectura II, 2-4). This ancient story seems to have been a desirable parallel for Bramante and pope Julius II. Much like Dinocrates and Alexander’s partnership, the relation between Bramante and the pope resulted in numerous ‘great’ monuments, one of which is depicted on the reverse of this medal. Therefore, completely in the Renaissance spirit, Bramante chose to be depicted as the naked bust referencing Dinocrates as his ancient predecessor. . .