Portrait medal of Scaramuccia Trivulzio (obverse); Prudence (reverse)

ca. 1517 (before 1527; old cast)
Not on view
This medal belongs to the Milanese School, known for uniformly high-quality work and the evident influence of such artists as Leone Leoni and Jacopo da Trezzo. The subtle modeling has produced a sympathetic characterization of a man described by contemporaries as pious and learned. Scaramuccia di Gianfermo Trivulzio became an advisor to King Louis XII of France and was named Cardinal of Saint Cyriaco under Pope Leo X.
On the reverse, an allegorical figure of Prudence holds a mirror in her left hand and compasses in her right. The mirror symbolizes not vanity but the wise man’s capacity to see himself honestly, and the compasses represent measured judgment. The dragon at her feet stands for the serpent referred to in Matthew 10:16: "Be ye wise as serpents."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait medal of Scaramuccia Trivulzio (obverse); Prudence (reverse)
  • Date: ca. 1517 (before 1527; old cast)
  • Culture: Italian, Milan
  • Medium: Bronze (copper alloy with a honeycolored
    patina.)
  • Dimensions: Diam. 5.6 cm, wt. 56.84 g.
  • Classification: Medals
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
    1975.1.1253
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1253
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.