Geboorte van Lodewijk XIV

About this artwork

diameter 4,1 cm x gewicht 30,85 gr

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Geboorte van Lode XIV* (Birth of Louis XIV), a struck medal crafted by French medallist Jean Mauger between1699 and 1703. Measuring just 4.1 cm in diameter and weighing .85 grams, this petite masterpiece captures a pivotal moment in French history: the 1638 birth of Louis XIV, the Sun King, whose long reign epitomized absolute monarchy and cultural splendor. Struck medals like this one represent a pinnacle of late Baroque metalworking, where a precisely engraved die is hammered into a metal blank under immense pressure to produce intricate, high-relief designs. Mauger's technique highlights the era's virtuoso craftsmanship, likely employing silver or gold alloy for durability and luster. Such objects were prized not only for their artistry but as portable propaganda, disseminating royal imagery to nobles and collectors across Europe. Created over six decades after the event, this medal reflects Louis XIV's enduring legacy during his twilight years, underscoring the Versailles court's obsession with glorifying the monarch's divine-right origins. A testament to 17th-century numismatic excellence, it invites us to ponder how tiny tokens preserved the grandeur of an age.

About the Artist

Jean Mauger · 1648–1722

French, 1648–1722