The Juxon Medal: Charles I, 1600-1649, King of England 1625 [obverse]

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Juxon Medal: Charles I, 1600-1649, King of England 1625* (obverse), a exquisite gold portrait medal crafted by the renowned French engraver Nicolas Briot in 1639. Measuring just 6 cm in diameter yet weighing a substantial 79 grams, this small-scale sculpture captures the Stuart monarch in profile, embodying the era's fascination with numismatic art as a medium for royal propaganda and personal commemoration. Briot, who served as chief engraver at the Royal Mint under Charles I, brought his mastery of fine detail to this piece, blending French precision with English patronage. Cast in molten gold and meticulously chased by hand— a technique involving punching and engraving to refine surfaces and add lifelike texture—this medal exemplifies 17th-century medallic artistry. Gold's rarity and luster signified prestige, making it a coveted object for nobility or clergy, possibly linked to William Juxon, the bishop who later attended the king at his 1649 execution. Produced a decade before the English Civil War's climax, it reflects Charles I's divine-right image amid rising tensions. Today, this treasure at the National Gallery of Art invites us to ponder the intimate interplay of power, faith, and craftsmanship in turbulent times—a golden echo of monarchy's fragile splendor. (198 words)