Salus and Serpent [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This striking bronze medal reverse, created by the Paduan medallist Giovanni da Cavino in the mid-16th century, Salus, the Roman of health and well-being, alongside her traditional attribute—a coiling serpent. Measuring just under 4 centimeters in diameter, the piece was struck rather than cast, a technique that allowed Cavino to achieve crisp, coin-like relief details reminiscent of ancient Roman currency. The compact format and classical subject reflect the Renaissance fascination with antiquity, as collectors and scholars sought to revive the imagery and values of the classical world. Cavino, active in Padua, became renowned for his “Paduan medals,” which often imitated or reinterpreted Roman prototypes with remarkable fidelity. Here, the serpent symbolizes healing and renewal, drawing on ancient associations between Salus and medical care. Such reverses frequently paired with portrait obverses of contemporary patrons, transforming personal commemoration into a dialogue with history. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s Samuel H. Kress Collection, this small yet eloquent work offers visitors a tangible connection to Renaissance humanism and the enduring cultural importance of classical symbolism in art.

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...