Woman Sitting on a Saddle [reverse]

Art Historical Context

This bronze medal, created in 1518 by the anonymous artist known as the Medalist of 1518, exemplifies the Renaissance revival of classical medallic art. Measuring just under five centimeters in diameter, it was likely cast as part of a commemorative pair, with the reverse side featuring an allegorical scene of a woman seated on a saddle. Such imagery often carried symbolic weight, possibly alluding to themes of virtue, journey, or personal heraldry associated with the medal’s original subject. Renaissance medals like this one served as portable works of art, blending portraiture on the obverse with meaningful emblems on the reverse. Crafted in bronze, the medium allowed for intricate detail and durability, making these objects popular among collectors and patrons across Italy and Europe. The Medalist of 1518’s work reflects the period’s interest in humanist ideals and antique forms, drawing from ancient Roman coinage traditions. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s Samuel H. Kress Collection, this small sculpture offers a glimpse into early 16th-century artistic patronage and the enduring appeal of symbolic imagery in everyday luxury objects.