Giuliano II de' Medici, 1479-1516, Duc de Nemours 1515 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, struck by Italian engraver Antonio Francesco Sel between 1739 and 1744, immortalizes Giuliano II de' Medici (1479–1516), a prominent figure of the Renaissance Medici dynasty. The obverse portrays Giuliano, who rose to prominence as a military leader and was granted the French title of Duc de Nemours in 5 by his brother, Pope Leo X. As the youngest son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Giuliano embodied the family's blend of political savvy, patronage of the arts, and turbulent fortunes amid Italy's power struggles. Crafted with Selvi's masterful intaglio techniques, the 7.73 cm diameter medal weighs a substantial 94.6 grams, its 12:00 axis aligning the portrait for optimal viewing. Eighteenth-century medallists like Selvi revived classical portraiture in bronze, a durable medium evoking ancient Roman coins while celebrating Renaissance heroes. Classified as sculpture at the National Gallery of Art—thanks to donor Lisa Unger Baskin—this piece highlights medals as miniature monuments, bridging historical memory and artistic virtuosity. Visitors will appreciate how such works preserved Medici legacy centuries later, offering a tangible glimpse into Florence's golden age.

About the Artist

Antonio Francesco Selvi · 1679–1755

Antonio Francesco Selvi (1679–1753) was a prominent Florentine sculptor and medallist whose exquisite bronze portraits captured the elegance of late Baroque Italy. Little is known of his early life before he arrived in Florence in 1698, but he quickly established himself in the city's vibrant artistic scene by studying under Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi, the renowned bronze-worker, sculptor, medalli...