Vrede van Luneville

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: vrede, afgebeeld als vrouw met olijftak en gevulde hoorn van overvloed binnen omschrift; afsnede: datering

Art Historical Context

**Vrede van Luneville (Peace of Lunéville *Bertrand Andrieu, 1* *Struck silver medal, diameter 4.2 cm, weight 29.28 g* Crafted by French engraver Bertrand Andrieu a master of neoclassical medal-making during the Napoleonic era, petite silver medallion commemorates the Treaty of Lunville, signed on February9, 1801. The obverse features a detailed bust of a man within an encircling inscription, likely honoring a key figure in the peace. Andrieu's precise striking technique—hammering metal into dies—produces the medal's sharp relief and luminous surface, hallmarks of early 19th-century numismatic art that blended classical portraiture with propaganda. The reverse vividly symbolizes peace as a graceful woman holding an olive branch, emblem of harmony, and a cornucopia overflowing with abundance, signifying prosperity restored. Framed by an inscription and dated on the edge, it captures the era's optimism after years of war between France and Austria. This treaty redrew European maps, ceding territories to France and paving Napoleon's path to imperial power. Though small enough to fit in your palm, this medal packs historical weight, reflecting how art minted moments of diplomacy into enduring legacy. A fine example of silver's prestige in commemorative works, it invites us to ponder peace's fragile symbols amid revolution's echoes.

About the Artist

Bertrand Andrieu · 1761–1822

French, Bordeaux 1761–1822 Paris