Antoine Ruzé Coeffier
Medal
1629 (made)
1629 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The commemorative portrait medal was especially highly regarded in France during the first half of the 17th century. Guillaume Dupré (1579-1644), court medallist to Henry IV, undertook medallic portrait commissions in Italy from 1612. Dupré's grasp of the Italian tradition, together with his considerable technical skills, enabled him to cast medals in a style that proved influential on succeeding generations of French medallists. The medal of Antoine Coeffier, called Ruzé, by Jean Warin, is close in style and technical accomplishment to that of Dupré and was for many years attributed to him. The Museum's version is a particularly fine specimen, and the reverse - which shows Hercules receiving the burden of the world from Atlas - is in such high relief that Hercules' left arm stands out free of the field.
Medallic art has always been collected at South Kensington within the context of the history of sculpture. The collection is consequently rich in examples of the work of known sculptors in this medium, and emphasis has been placed on the acquisition of particularly fine examples. Both the medals illustrated here were bequeathed by George Salting, whose great collection contained many other important and beautiful pieces.
Ruzé was Superintendent of Finances and Commander of the French army. He is shown as Atlas helping the French king, in the guise of Hercules, carry the burdens of state, symbolised by a terrestrial globe.
Medallic art has always been collected at South Kensington within the context of the history of sculpture. The collection is consequently rich in examples of the work of known sculptors in this medium, and emphasis has been placed on the acquisition of particularly fine examples. Both the medals illustrated here were bequeathed by George Salting, whose great collection contained many other important and beautiful pieces.
Ruzé was Superintendent of Finances and Commander of the French army. He is shown as Atlas helping the French king, in the guise of Hercules, carry the burdens of state, symbolised by a terrestrial globe.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Antoine Ruzé Coeffier (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze, cast and chased |
Brief description | Medal, bronze, Antoine Coeffier (called Ruzé), Marquis d'Effiat, made by Jean Warin, Paris, 1629 |
Physical description | Medal depicts on the obverse the bust to right of d'Éffiat, in armour, wearing a collar of lace and a scarf, and a ribbon with the cross of the Order of the Holy Ghost. Inscription. On the reverse Hercules receiving from Atlas the burden of the world. By Hercules, his lion's skin and club. The figures in very high relief. Inscription |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Salting Bequest |
Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
Production | previously ascribed to Guillaume Dupré |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The commemorative portrait medal was especially highly regarded in France during the first half of the 17th century. Guillaume Dupré (1579-1644), court medallist to Henry IV, undertook medallic portrait commissions in Italy from 1612. Dupré's grasp of the Italian tradition, together with his considerable technical skills, enabled him to cast medals in a style that proved influential on succeeding generations of French medallists. The medal of Antoine Coeffier, called Ruzé, by Jean Warin, is close in style and technical accomplishment to that of Dupré and was for many years attributed to him. The Museum's version is a particularly fine specimen, and the reverse - which shows Hercules receiving the burden of the world from Atlas - is in such high relief that Hercules' left arm stands out free of the field. Medallic art has always been collected at South Kensington within the context of the history of sculpture. The collection is consequently rich in examples of the work of known sculptors in this medium, and emphasis has been placed on the acquisition of particularly fine examples. Both the medals illustrated here were bequeathed by George Salting, whose great collection contained many other important and beautiful pieces. Ruzé was Superintendent of Finances and Commander of the French army. He is shown as Atlas helping the French king, in the guise of Hercules, carry the burdens of state, symbolised by a terrestrial globe. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.362-1910 |
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Record created | November 19, 2002 |
Record URL |
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