Fortune Seated on a Rock [reverse] c. 1511 - 1517

This bronze medal presents Fortune seated, crafted in the early 16th century by Giovanni Maria Pomedelli. She is perched precariously on a rocky crag, a human skull lying at her feet. In her outstretched hand, she gestures towards a wreath of snakes. The image of Fortune has ancient roots. The Roman goddess Fortuna, often depicted with a cornucopia representing abundance, was known for her capriciousness, her wheel symbolizing the unpredictable nature of fate. Here, however, Pomedelli’s Fortune offers a more sinister vision. The skull suggests mortality, a reminder of the impermanence of worldly success, and the snakes evoke danger and deceit. This serpent motif has slithered through art history, from the Garden of Eden to the staff of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. These are not merely symbols, but “energetic formulas” that stir deep within our collective consciousness, reflecting our primal fears and desires. This Fortune is a powerful figure, engaging us on a subconscious level. The fear of death and the lure of temptation are powerful forces that engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The image of Fortune, with its combination of opportunity and peril, death and ambition, continues to resurface, evolving and taking on new meanings in each context.