Medal Depicting Garcia de' Medici (1547–1562)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite lead medal with wax, crafted by Italian engraver Antonio Francesco Selvi in 1739, honors Garcia de' Medici (1547–1562), a lesser-known son of Cosimo I de' Medici, the powerful Grand Duke of Tuscany. Measuring just 8.3 cm in diameter, it captures the young nobleman's likeness in a classical profile portrait, a format rooted in ancient Roman coinage revived during the Renaissance. Selvi, a master medalist from Siena active in the early 18th century, was renowned for his intricate bronze and precious metal works, blending Baroque elegance with historical reverence. Garcia's short life ended tragically at age 15, amid the Medici family's turbulent dynasty that shaped Renaissance Florence through patronage of art and politics. Created nearly two centuries later, this medal reflects the enduring fascination with the Medici legacy during the Enlightenment era, when collectors commissioned such pieces to celebrate illustrious forebears. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe, it exemplifies the medal as a portable sculpture—intimate yet monumental. The unusual lead-with-wax medium suggests a rare working proof or presentation piece, allowing for detailed modeling before final casting in more durable materials. Selvi's technique highlights fine engraving and patination, making this a gem for studying 18th-century medallic art's role in preserving noble memory.

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...