# Cosimo I de' Medici \(obverse\), Alessandro de' Medici \(reverse\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [VETRI, Domenico de']() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Struck silver, diameter 4 cm ## Commentary Cosimo I de' Medici \(obverse\), Alessandro de' Medici \(reverse\) c. 1537 Struck silver, diameter 4 cm British Museum, London This medal was probably issued shortly after Cosimo I de' Medici came to power in 1537. His image is clearly based on <a onclick="return OpenOther\('/html/p/pontormo/drawings/05medici.html'\)" href="/html/p/pontormo/drawings/05medici.html">Pontormo's drawing.</a> In ordering a medal that showed both him and his predecessor, Cosimo was following the practice of ancient Roman emperors, and especially Augustus, who had coins minted bearing his own likeness along with that of Julius Caesar, who, like Alessandro, had been murdered. ## Related artworks - [Alessandro de' Medici \(obverse\), Cosimo I de' Medici \(reverse\)]() - [Cosimo I de' Medici]() - [Medal of Cosimo I de' Medici]() - [Seal of Duke Alessandro de' Medici]() - [Seal of Duke Alessandro de' Medici]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()