Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610–43)
1626
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam. 2 1/2 in. (64 mm.)
Classification
Medals and Plaquettes
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Ogden Mills, 1925
Accession Number
25.203.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze medal, struck in 1626 by Guillaume Dupré, captures the profile of Louis XIII, King of France1601–1643), his reign marked by absolutist ambitions and Cardinal Richelieu's influence Measuring just 2½ inches in diameter, it exemplifies the intimate artistry of French medals and plaquettes—small-scale sculptural portraits prized by collectors as portable symbols of power and prestige. Dupré, a leading Parisian medallist, crafted this piece amid the early Baroque era, drawing on classical Roman coin traditions for its refined profile view. The bronze medium allowed for intric...
About the Artist
Guillaume Dupré · 1579–1640
**Guillaume Dupré (1579–1640)** Guillaume Dupré, born in Sissonne near Laon, emerged as one of France's premier sculptors and medallists during the transition from Renaissance to Baroque art. He studied under the renowned sculptor Barthélemy Prieur, marrying Prieur's daughter Madeleine in 1600 and later fathering Abraham Dupré, who followed in his footsteps as a medallist. His early talent caught...