The Choice of Hercules before Parnassus: The Steep Path of Virtue over the Easy Path of Pleasure [reverse] 1548 - 1549

Leone Leoni's bronze medal "The Choice of Hercules" from 1548-1549 depicts the Greek hero Hercules at a crossroads. He is shown choosing the path of virtue represented by the figure on his left over the path of pleasure symbolized by the figure on his right. This choice is a classic allegory of the human condition and the constant struggle to live a life of moral rectitude. The medal's intricate details, including the figures' expressions and the surrounding landscape, showcase Leoni's mastery of Renaissance art and his ability to convey complex themes in a small format.