Reverse of Medal Depicting Pier Francesco de' Medici (died 1530)

Art Historical Context

This intriguing medal, crafted by the Italian engraver Antonio Francesco Sel in 1739, the reverse side honoring Pier Francesco de' Medici1492–1530), a lesser-known scion of Florence's illustrious Medici dynasty. Selvi, renowned for his intricate commemorative medals during the Baroque era, captures the nobleman—son of Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici and a figure in Renaissance politics—likely in profile or symbolic pose, evoking the grandeur of Tuscany's ruling family two centuries after his early death from illness. Cast in lead with a wax coating, this 8.3 cm diameter piece exemplifies 18th-century medal-making techniques, where lead served as an affordable proof material before final bronze or precious metal strikes. The tactile wax layer adds a luminous, almost sculptural quality, highlighting Selvi's mastery of relief engraving and fine detailing, which blended classical portraiture with rococo elegance. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Painting and Sculpture of Europe, this rare survival offers a window into how Enlightenment-era artists revived Renaissance legacies, celebrating Medici patronage of arts and humanism. A testament to enduring dynastic prestige, it invites visitors to ponder the medal's role as portable Renaissance revival.

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...