Mercury Shaking Hands with a Personification of the Church [reverse]

Roman 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a relief on a round medal depicting two figures. The figure on the left is a nude male holding a caduceus. The figure on the right appears to be a draped female, standing in front of the male. The scene is framed within the circular boundary of the medal, featuring a textured border with swirling patterns. The material of the sculpture seems to be bronze, with brown and dark gold color tones. The design is raised against the background, capturing classical attire and symbolic elements with precision. The detailing suggests it is designed for close viewing, typical of a medal or a medallion.