Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Medal
1550 (made)
1550 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal on suspension ring depicts the portrait of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (b. 1500; Emperor 1519; d. 1558) in full length, seated on a throne. He is holding an orb and a sceptre.
The medal was struck in commemoration of the 50th birthday of Charles V.
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.
The medal was struck in commemoration of the 50th birthday of Charles V.
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 | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver |
| Brief description | Medal, silver, Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, Germany, dated 1550 |
| Physical description | Suspension ring. Obverse: Charles V, full length, seated on a throne. holding an orb and sceptre. Inscription. Reverse: Christ seated on a throne holding Orb and Sceptre. Inscription. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Object history | Bought in 1910 for £1 10s. |
| Historical context | Commemorates the 50th birthday of Charles V. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal on suspension ring depicts the portrait of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (b. 1500; Emperor 1519; d. 1558) in full length, seated on a throne. He is holding an orb and a sceptre. The medal was struck in commemoration of the 50th birthday of Charles V. 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 | Trusted, Marjorie. German Renaissance Medals. Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990. 128p., ill. ISBN 1851770135. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.354-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
