Power Made Visible: Pope Sixtus IV as Urbis Restaurator in Quattrocento Rome

Abstract

A single medal, commemorating the completion of the bridge, the Ponte Sisto, captures the duality of Pope Sixtus IV's (Francesco della Rovere, 1471-1484) official role as spiritual leader and his chosen role as urban renovator. The medal features a profile portrait of Sixtus surrounded by the words "SIXTVS IIII PONT MAX SACRICVLTOR," while on the back a three-line inscription above a small image of the Ponte Sisto (fig. 1) proclaims "CVRA / RERVM / PVBLICARVM."The obverse depicts Sixtus as the high priest of Christendom, while the reverse shows the pontiff as the caretaker of urban projects. This article explores what the medal makes visible: within his extensive patronage of art, Sixtus commissioned public works that advertised his refurbishment of Rome while communicating the message of his secular and sacred authority to observers throughout the Eternal City. The Capitoline Museum, Aqua Vergine, Ponte Sisto, the Vatican Library, and newly paved streets not only built upon and recalled ancient power and history, but they also publicly proclaimed the success of Sixtus' papacy. By extending his vision to all of Rome (see map, fig. 2) and not just particular areas of the city, as his papal predecessors had, the pope exhibited a new supremacy.1 In restoring the grandeur of ancient Rome, Sixtus claimed both temporal and spiritual importance. [End Page 1] Click for larger view Figure 1 Lysippus the Younger, Ponte Sisto Medal of Pope Sixtus IV, 1473, bronze. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

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