Winged Thunderbolt [reverse] c. 1522

This bronze medal was created by Francesco da Sangallo, an Italian sculptor active in the 16th century. Its imagery can tell us a lot about the preoccupations of Renaissance society. The winged thunderbolt design is directly inspired by classical antiquity, when the symbol was associated with Jupiter, king of the gods. During the Renaissance, ancient history offered both aesthetic and political models. The medal form itself evolved in Italy as an artistic expression of humanist values, with portraits of famous individuals and allegorical themes circulating widely. Here, we might ask, who is being celebrated? What values are being promoted? Historians consult a wide range of sources to answer such questions: letters, diaries, financial accounts, and inventories. These help us understand the social and political circumstances in which artworks like this were produced. By studying these objects, we can better understand the Renaissance world. After all, the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.