Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610–43)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, struck in 1623 by Guillaumeré, France's premier medallist and engraver to the Paris Mint, honors Louis XIII, King of France (1601–1643, r. 1610–1643). Measuring just 2⅜ inches (6 cm) in diameter, it exemplifies the intimate artistry of 17th-century plaquettes—small, collectible sculptures prized by nobility for their portability and prestige. The obverse likely features a detailed profile of the young monarch, capturing his regal bearing during a pivotal era of absolutist rule. Dupré's mastery shines in the medal's fine chasing and striking techniques, which yield crisp details and a lifelike depth typical of French Renaissance-influenced medal-making. Tags hint at symbolic elements: kings in profile alongside women and motifs of weights and measures, possibly evoking justice, balance, or royal authority on the reverse. Created amid Louis XIII's campaigns against Huguenots and the looming Thirty Years' War, it reflects the era's emphasis on monarchical iconography to legitimize power. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Department (Bequest of Gwynne M. Andrews, 1931), this piece invites visitors to ponder how tiny bronzes like this bridged art, politics, and personal devotion in the French court.

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...