Henri IV, King of France
Medal
1602 (made)
1602 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The medal depicts Henri IV, King of France, who became King in 1589. It celebrates his successes against the Duke of Saxony from whom he gained Bresse, Bugey, Valromy and Gex by the Treaty of Lyon in 1601. It replies to an earlier medal struck by Charles-Emmanuel to commemorate his annexation of the Maquisate of Saluzzo in 1588, which showed him as a centaur and bore the legend 'Opportune'. Henri was depicted as Hercules on a number of medals, to symbolise his strength, particularly in the face of his enemies.
Since the Renaissance, the portrait medal has often commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists, with their portraits of rulers on the obverse (front) and allegorical representations on the reverse. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.
Since the Renaissance, the portrait medal has often commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists, with their portraits of rulers on the obverse (front) and allegorical representations on the reverse. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Henri IV, King of France (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | silver |
Brief description | Medal, silver, Henri IV, King of France as Hercules, by Philippe Danfrie II, France, 1602 |
Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to right of Henri, as Hercules, naked except for the lion's skin, the head of which is pulled over his head. It is inscribed around the edge. On the reverse Henri is depicted as Hercules striking down a Centaur. Henri wears the lion's skin and raises the club in his right hand, and holds a crown in his left. The head of the Centaur is a portrait of the Duke of Savoy. There is an inscription around the image. |
Dimensions |
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Production type | Limited edition |
Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Salting Bequest |
Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
Production | Signed P./DAN below Henri's truncated arm |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | The medal depicts Henri IV, King of France, who became King in 1589. It celebrates his successes against the Duke of Saxony from whom he gained Bresse, Bugey, Valromy and Gex by the Treaty of Lyon in 1601. It replies to an earlier medal struck by Charles-Emmanuel to commemorate his annexation of the Maquisate of Saluzzo in 1588, which showed him as a centaur and bore the legend 'Opportune'. Henri was depicted as Hercules on a number of medals, to symbolise his strength, particularly in the face of his enemies. Since the Renaissance, the portrait medal has often commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, excavated all over Italy and eagerly collected by humanists, with their portraits of rulers on the obverse (front) and allegorical representations on the reverse. Many specialist sculptors were attracted to the art form. It was recognised that there was a ready market for medals among the growing class of collectors, usually members of the intelligensia or the gentry, who were attracted to small-scale works of art. The medal format proved ideal for this type of personal and intimate object. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.348-1910 |
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Record created | August 23, 2004 |
Record URL |
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