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On display at V&A South Kensington
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Louis XIII, King of France

Medal
1624 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This medal depicts Louis XIII, King of France (1601-1643), who became King in 1610.
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, eagerly collected by humanists. 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
TitleLouis XIII, King of France (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, Louis XIII, King of France, by Guillaume Dupré, France, dated 1624
Physical description
Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to right of Louis XIII, in armour, wearing a ruff and a scarf, and covered with laurel. Inscription.
On the reverse a ship sailing away to the right. Inscription.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'LVDOVICVS . XIII . D .. G . FRANCORVM ET NAVARÆ . REX - OB . AQVAS DEDVCTAS - 1624' (obverse)
  • 'ABSQVE TVIS STARET INANIS AQVIS' (reverse)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This medal depicts Louis XIII, King of France (1601-1643), who became King in 1610.
Cast in bronze or lead, the Renaissance portrait medal commemorated individuals or events. They were used as gifts and mementoes and were inspired by Roman coins, with their portraits of rulers and allegorical representations on the reverse, eagerly collected by humanists. 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 reference
'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. 54
Collection
Accession number
A.360-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
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