Henry IV, King of France
Medal
ca. 1594 (made)
ca. 1594 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal depcits Henri IV, King of France and is attributed to the French school, made shortly before 1594, the date of Henri's coronation.
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.
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 | |
| Title | Henry IV, King of France (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Medal, bronze, Henri IV, King of France, by the French School, France, ca. 1594 |
| Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust of Henri in three-quarter length to right, wearing a high hat with a broad brim, and a ruff, and over his doublet a gorget and a scarf. Inscription. On the reverse the shields of France and Navarre, each surmounted by a crown. Below, H over a 4 between branches of palm and laurel. The whole surrounded by the collar of St. Michael and a border made by two thunderbolts, between branches of laurel. No inscription. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'HENRICVS IIII D G REX FRAN ET NAV' (obverse) |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Production | from the French School; formerly attributed to Nicholas Gabriel Jacquet |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal depcits Henri IV, King of France and is attributed to the French school, made shortly before 1594, the date of Henri's coronation. 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 references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.351-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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