Portrait of Madame de Faugnes, dame de Thauvenay

Art Historical Context

This elegant medallion captures the refined likeness of Madame de Faugnes, dame de Thauvenay, in a delicate profile view. Created by Jean-Baptiste Nini in the second half of the eighteenth century, the work exemplifies the intimate portrait tradition that flourished in pre-Revolutionary France. Cast in terracotta sourced from the Chaumont region—known as “terre de Chaumont”—the piece measures just over six inches in diameter, making it both portable and personal. Nini specialized in such miniature sculptures, which offered an affordable yet sophisticated alternative to painted portraits or carved marble busts. The warm, earthy tone of the clay lends a lifelike softness to the sitter’s features, while the gilt-wood frame adds a touch of aristocratic elegance suitable for display in a salon or private cabinet. These medallions often served as tokens of friendship, tokens of status, or memorials, reflecting the era’s growing interest in individual identity and sentiment. Housed today in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, the work invites viewers to appreciate both the technical mastery of cast terracotta and the quiet dignity of eighteenth-century French portraiture.

About the Artist

Jean-Baptiste Nini · 1717–1786

Jean-Baptiste Nini, born Giovanni Battista Nini in Urbino, Italy, in March 1717, emerged as a versatile sculptor and medallist whose career bridged the vibrant artistic scenes of Italy, Spain, and France. The son of a modest painter, Nini received his initial training from his father in the rudiments of engraving. He honed these skills in Bologna, where he simultaneously studied sculpture at the A...