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Louis XIII, King of France

Medal
1617 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
France (made)

This medal depicts Louis XIII (1601-1643), who became King of France of France in 1610. On the reverse Louis is shown as Apollo.
In classical sculpture he represents the ideal form of male physical beauty (as Venus for female) and is portrayed young, beardless, with long hair and rather feminine features. His attributes were varied: bow, arrow, quiver (for his patron of archery), the lyre (patron of poetry and music), a four-horse chariot (for the sun god), a snake (for his victory over Python) and more.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Portraits
Sculpture
Object type
Medal
TitleLouis XIII, King of France (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Medal, bronze, Louis XIII, King of France, unknown medallist, France, dated 1617
Physical description
Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to right of Louis XIII, crowned with laurel, wearing a cuirass, and bearing a bow and quiver. Inscription.
On the reverse Louis as Apollo slaying the Python. He is naked except for a scarf and has a nimbus of flames round his head. Inscription.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 5.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • LVDOVICVS XIII REX CHRISTIANISS' (obverse)
  • 'SIC CONTERET HOSTES - [date]' (reverse)
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Laurel
Louis (XIII, King of France)
Apollo
Python
Summary
This medal depicts Louis XIII (1601-1643), who became King of France of France in 1610. On the reverse Louis is shown as Apollo.
In classical sculpture he represents the ideal form of male physical beauty (as Venus for female) and is portrayed young, beardless, with long hair and rather feminine features. His attributes were varied: bow, arrow, quiver (for his patron of archery), the lyre (patron of poetry and music), a four-horse chariot (for the sun god), a snake (for his victory over Python) and more.
Bibliographic references
  • Jones, Mark. Catalogue of the French Medals in the British Museum, Vol II, 1600-1672. London: 1988, pp. 291, 3 , No 335
  • '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. 55
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.369-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O313794/louis-xiii-king-of-france-medal-unknown/
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