Virtues of the architect

On the reverse of the medal we see the figure of a woman. This type of reverse was very much inspired by ancient examples. Depicting the allegory of architecture as a woman bearing the attributes belonging to her profession is a clear imitation of ancient personifications of virtues and cities. Many ancient cities were referenced on coins by way of depicting their personification or allegory. For example, the seated woman on the gold coins of Gratianus is the personification of the city of Constantinople.

The woman is looking to the right to see the building project of Bramante’s Saint Peter, which is a direct reference to the obverse type where Bramante himself is depicted. This visual connection between the building and the ‘builder’ can also be found on many ancient coins. The legend FIDELITAS LABOR, translating into loyalty and work, is more innovative, because it refers to the devotion of the artist to his patron, the pope of Rome. Unlike Roman coins, the highest authority, in this case Pope Julius II, is not depicted on the coins but is only implicitly referred to in the legend.