Medal Depicting Francis III of Lorraine (1708–1765)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medal, crafted by the Italian artist Antonio Francesco Selvi in1739, portrays Francis III of Lorraine (1708–1765), the young duke who would later become Holy Roman Emperor Francis I through his marriage to Maria Theresa of Austria. Selvi, a master medallist active in 18th-century Florence, in finely detailed portrait medals that captured the grandeur of European nobility during the late Baroque era. At just 8.3 cm in diameter, this piece exemplifies the Renaissance revival of medal-making as a portable art form, blending sculpture's intimacy with commemorative power. The medal's unusual medium—lead combined with wax—highlights innovative techniques of the period. Lead provided a durable, affordable base for casting intricate reliefs, while wax allowed for precise modeling of facial features and textures, lending a lifelike softness rare in metalwork. Produced amid the shifting alliances of the War of the Polish Succession, it reflects Francis's rising prominence in Habsburg-Lorraine politics, serving as both diplomatic gift and personal tribute. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe, this medal invites visitors to ponder the era's fascination with enlightened rulers and the artistry of miniature portraiture. A testament to Selvi's skill, it bridges craftsmanship and history in your palm.

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...