Medals 1400-1900

'Constantine the Great', medal

Constantine the Great
Medal (obverse view)
Probably France (Paris)
About 1402
Bronze, cast
Museum no. 4492-1858

Along with another medal showing Heraclius, Emperor of Byzantium, this stands at the beginning of the medal making tradition in Europe. Documents show that the original examples were made for Duc de Berry, an outstanding patron and connoisseur, and entered his collection in November 1402.

Legend in Latin, 'Constantine, faithful in Christ our God, leader and ruler of the Romans, Emperor for ever'

'John VIII Paleologus', medal

'John VIII Paleologus'
Medal (obverse view)
Antonio Pisano, called Pisanello (before 1395-about 1455)
Italy (probably Ferrara)
After 1438-9
Bronze, cast
Museum no. 7711-1863

In 1438-9 John VIII Paleologus, Emperor of Byzantium, attended a conference in Ferrara. His visit was marked by this medal, possibly the first one produced by Pisanello and therefore the first true portrait medal of the Renaissance. Its design set a standard format for many future commemorative medals.
Legend in Greek, 'John, King and Emperor of the Romans, the Paleologus'.

'Louis XII and his wife, Anne of Britanny'

'Louis XII and his wife, Anne of Britanny'
Medal (obverse view)
Nicolas Leclerc and Jean de Saint-Priest
Cast by Jean Lepère and Colin Lepère
France (Lyon)
1499
Bronze, cast
Museum no. 661-1865
Soulages Collection via Department of Regional Services

This medal was one of the earliest made in France. It was commissioned by the city of Lyon on 18 March 1499 and produced by local artists. Similar to Italian medals in form and technique, it relies on heraldry and the symbols of office to confirm the identity of the sitter.
Legend in Latin, 'Every nation rejoices under the reign of the second Caesar, the fortunate Louis XII'

'Conrad Peutinger of Nuremberg', medal

'Conrad Peutinger of Nuremberg'
Medal
Hans Schwarz (1492-after 1521)
Germany (Augsburg)
1518
Brass, cast; uniface
Museum no. 169-1867

This is one of the 25 medals that Schwarz made at Augsburg in 1518. All show visitors attending the Imperial Diet, the meeting of the ruling body of the Holy Roman Empire. The commission made Schwarz's reputation as the first German medallist. The naturalistic, even unflattering, likeness is characteristically German.
Legend in Latin, 'Konrad Peutinger lawyer aged 52'.

'Augustin Loesch, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'

'Augustin Loesch, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'
Medal (uniface)
Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-46)
Southern Germany
1526
Lead, cast
Museum no. 150-1867

Like many German sculptors, Hagenauer carved his models in fruitwood. This accounts for the accuracy and linear clarity of his work. His medals frequently show the sitter's head in profile with the shoulders turned frontally and the date sunk into the field of the medal. Many were later copied for wooden gaming pieces.

Legend in Latin, 'The image of Augustin Loesch of Hilkers, doctor of law, Chancellor of the Duchy of Bavaria'

'Matthaeus Metzger', medal

Matthaeus Metzger
Medal
Friedrich Hagenauer (active 1525-46)
Southern Germany
1527
Lead, cast; uniface
Museum no. A.383-1910
Salting Bequest

This sitter was a representative and employee of the Hochstetters, a merchant family in Ulm. The inscription surrounding the portrait translates 'Matthaeus Metzger's appearance at 24 years old', so presumably it marks his birthday or some other significant event in his life.

'Henry IV and His wife Marie de' Medici', Guillaume Dupré'

'Henry IV and His wife Marie de' Medici'
Medal (obverse view)
Guillaume Dupré (about 1579-1642)
France (Paris),
1605
Bronze, cast;
Museum no. 5779-1859

Dupré was the first French medallist to appreciate and exploit fully the tradition of medallic portraiture that had been developed in Italy in the 16th century. His work is distinguished by the subtle low relief, created in the wax model, and the outstanding quality of the casting.

Legend in Latin, 'Henri IV most Christian King, Marie, Empress'