Henri IV, King of France thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 6, The Lisa and Bernard Selz Gallery

Henri IV, King of France

Medal
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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHenri 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
  • Diameter: 5cm
Production typeLimited edition
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'ALCIDES.HIC.NOVVS.ORBI' (obverse)
    Translation
    Here is the world's new descendant of Alceius (ie Hercules)
  • P./DAN (signed below bust)
  • 'OPPORTVNIVS' (on reverse)
    Translation
    more opportunely
  • 1602 (on truncation)
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
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 51
  • Jones, Mark. Catalogue of the French Medals in the British Museum, Vol I, London: 1982, pp. 199-200, no. 193
  • Veillon, Marie. "Un Portriat du Roi - Le Portrait en Medaille dans la France du seizieme siecle". In: The Medal, Spring 2006
Collection
Accession number
A.348-1910

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Record createdAugust 23, 2004
Record URL
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