Genius Holding a Dolphin and Sacrificing [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This striking bronze medal, created in 1539 by the Paduan artist Giovanni da Cavino, exemplifies the Renaissance revival of classical antiquity. Measuring just under 4 centimeters in diameter, the piece was struck rather than cast, a technique that allowed for crisp, repeatable details in the relief. As the reverse of a larger medal, it features a "genius"—a protective spirit from Roman mythology—holding a dolphin while performing a sacrificial rite, evoking themes of guardianship, the sea, and ritual devotion. Cavino, renowned for his skillful imitations of ancient Roman coins, worked during a period when scholars and collectors eagerly sought connections to the classical past. His medals often served commemorative or diplomatic purposes, blending mythological imagery with contemporary patronage. The compact format and bronze medium made such works portable treasures, suitable for private study or gifting among humanists. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection, this medal highlights the era’s artistic dialogue between past and present, inviting viewers to appreciate both its technical precision and symbolic depth.

About the Artist

Giovanni da Cavino · 1500–1570

**Giovanni da Cavino: The Paduan Master of Medals and Antiquity** Giovanni da Cavino, born in May 1500 in Padua to goldsmith Bartolommeo di Giovanni from Cavino d'Arsego, inherited his family's craft from an early age. His father served as his initial master until Bartolommeo's death in 1517, after which Cavino trained in the workshop of the renowned Paduan sculptor Andrea Riccio (1470–1532), who...