Medal Depicting Matthias de' Medici (1613–1667)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medal, crafted by the renowned Italian artist Antonio Francesco Selvi in 9, honors Matthias de' Medici (1613–1667), a prominent member of Florence's illustrious Medici family. Selvi, a master medallist active in the 18th century, specialized in portrait medals that captured the grandeur of nobility often blending classical influences with Baroque elegance. Produced over 70 years after Matthias's death, this posthumous piece likely commemorates his legacy as a military leader, art collector, and prince who contributed to the Medici court's cultural patronage during Tuscany's Golden Age. Measuring 8.3 cm in diameter, the medal is made of lead with wax—a technique that combined the durability of metal casting with the lifelike sheen and detail of wax modeling. Lead provided an affordable yet substantial medium for such portraits, while wax allowed for intricate facial features and textures, evoking the realism of contemporary sculpture. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe, this work exemplifies the Renaissance-to-Baroque tradition of medals as portable "miniature sculptures," prized by collectors during the Grand Tour era for their historical and artistic value. Visitors will appreciate how this modest yet masterful object bridges personal portraiture with dynastic pride, offering a tangible glimpse into Medici splendor.

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...