Diana [reverse] c. 16th century

This small medal was crafted by Concz Welcz in the early 16th century. It depicts Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, moon, and wilderness. The figure, caught mid-stride, brandishes a long staff and holds what appears to be a laurel wreath. Diana, or Artemis as she was known in Greece, evolved from a primal huntress to a symbol of chastity and protector of the vulnerable. Her dynamic pose echoes the ancient Minoan "snake goddess," a figure of fertility and power, revealing how archetypes resurface across millennia. The wreath she bears is symbolic of victory and honor, an attribute tracing its roots to Apollo, her twin. Consider how Diana, a deity rooted in ancient paganism, re-emerges in Renaissance art, a testament to our enduring fascination with classical antiquity. The tension between her wild, untamed nature and her refined, classical portrayal embodies the complex interplay between instinct and reason, a theme that continues to resonate in our collective psyche.