Edward IV, from the English Monarchs series

Art Historical Context

Behold the finely crafted bronze medal *Edward IV, from the Monarchs series* by Jean Dassier, a master Swiss engraver active in the early 18th century.uck around 1731–32, this 4.1 cm diameter piece captures the profile of Edward IV (r. 1461–70, 1471–83), the Yorkist king who seized the English throne during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. Dassier's work exemplifies the Enlightenment fascination with history, producing collectible medal series that brought royal legacies to life for educated audiences across Europe. As part of Dassier's ambitious *English Monarchs* sequence, this medal reflects the neoclassical revival of ancient Roman portraiture, with its sharp, idealized profile emphasizing regal authority and classical poise. Bronze, a durable and prestigious medium for medals and plaquettes, allowed for intricate high-relief details that highlight Edward's stern features and period attire. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts (purchase, Stephen K. Scher Gift, 2014), it invites visitors to ponder how such pocket-sized artworks democratized royal history in an era before widespread printing. These medals weren't mere trinkets—they were educational tools, blending artistry with chronology to trace Britain's monarchical past. A testament to Dassier's technical prowess, this piece endures as a bridge between medieval power struggles and 18th-century scholarship.