Charles de Valois, 1573-1650 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This finely crafted bronze medal, titled *Charles de Valois,1573-1650 [obverse]*, was created by the esteemed French medallist Guillaume Dupré in 1620. Measuring a modest 4.3 cm in diameter and weighing just 21.57 grams, it exemplifies the intimate artistry of portrait medals—small-scale sculptures that flourished in Renaissance and early Baroque Europe. The obverse likely features a detailed relief portrait of Charles de Valois a French nobleman and duke born in 1573, his likeness during his lifetime under the reign of Louis XIII. Dupré, who served as engraver to kings Henri IV and Louis XIII, was renowned for his precise engraving techniques and ability to convey personality through subtle modeling and high relief. Cast in durable bronze, this medium allowed for rich patina development over time and widespread reproduction, making medals accessible status symbols for collectors and the elite. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Department of Sculpture (thanks to a gift from Lisa and Leonard Baskin), this piece highlights the cultural role of medals in commemorating nobility amid France's dynamic 17th-century politics. It invites visitors to appreciate the blend of portraiture, history, and technical mastery in a palm-sized treasure.

About the Artist

Guillaume Dupré · 1579–1640

**Guillaume Dupré (1579–1640)** Guillaume Dupré, born in Sissonne near Laon, emerged as one of France's premier sculptors and medallists during the transition from Renaissance to Baroque art. He studied under the renowned sculptor Barthélemy Prieur, marrying Prieur's daughter Madeleine in 1600 and later fathering Abraham Dupré, who followed in his footsteps as a medallist. His early talent caught...