Louis XV (1710–1774)

Art Historical Context

This elegant medallion captures King Louis XV of France in, created in 1770 by Jean-Baptiste Nini just four years before the monarch’s death. The small-scale portrait, measuring just over six inches in diameter, exemplifies the refined taste for miniature sculpture during the late ancien régime. Cast in terracotta from the distinctive local clay of Chaumont-sur-Loire—known as terre de Chaumont—the work was then set in a gilt-wood frame, transforming a modest material into a regal object suitable for display in private cabinets or studies. Nini specialized in such portrait medallions, which offered an intimate yet dignified alternative to large-scale royal imagery. The profile format recalls ancient coins and Renaissance medals, lending Louis XV an air of timeless authority even as France approached the upheavals of the coming revolution. Its compact size made it ideal for personal collections or diplomatic gifts, allowing admirers to possess a tangible likeness of the king. Today in the Metropolitan Museum’s European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this piece highlights the artistry of 18th-century French ceramic techniques and the cultural importance of royal portraiture in everyday elite life.

About the Artist

Jean-Baptiste Nini · 1717–1786

Jean-Baptiste Nini, born Giovanni Battista Nini in Urbino, Italy, in March 1717, emerged as a versatile sculptor and medallist whose career bridged the vibrant artistic scenes of Italy, Spain, and France. The son of a modest painter, Nini received his initial training from his father in the rudiments of engraving. He honed these skills in Bologna, where he simultaneously studied sculpture at the A...