Medal of Anne of Austria (obverse) and (reverse)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1660
Medal of Anne of Austria (obverse) and (reverse) — Sculpture, by Jean Warin (French, 1604–1672), made in France, dated 1660. Jean Warin was the foremost medalist in 17th-century France.
As the chief designer of coins, his relationship with King Louis XIII was exceptionally close; he convinced the king that commemorative medals were the most important artistic medium for propaganda. Warin revolutionized the production of medals by introducing the raised edge, allowing greater ease in striking medals. This change fueled the shift from casting medals to the more recently invented process of striking, or pressing medals from a die.
This work is one of many he composed of Queen Anne of Austria (1601–1666). Although she was born in Spain as the Infanta, or princess, of Spain and Portugal, her title "of Austria" refers to her Habsburg heritage as well as her title of Archduchess of Austria. The reverse depicts a blooming lily, a symbol of France, and is inscribed "it glories in its divine nourishment," referring to her son, the adolescent King Louis XIV.
Physical description: bronze; Diameter: 6 cm (2 3/8 in.).
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Held by Cleveland Museum of Art (object no. 1987.195). The museum record attributes this piece to Jean Warin (French, 1604–1672) in France around 1660. Details beyond the museum's own catalogue entry have not been independently verified.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 6 cm (2 3/8 in.)
- Materials techniques
- bronze
Identification
- Source note
- All details come from the object's own museum catalogue record; nothing has been copied from other entries.
- Museum object name
- Sculpture
- Museum object number
- 1987.195
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.