Martin Folkes (1690–1754)

Art Historical Context

This finely crafted bronze medal, titled *Martin Folkes (1690–1754)*, was created in 1740 by the Swissist Jacques-Antoine Dass. Measuring 54 mm in diameter it exemplifies the exquisite plaquettes and medals produced during the Enlightenment era, when such small-scale sculptures served as portable tributes to intellectuals and scholars. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, this piece captures Folkes in a classical profile view—a nod to Roman coinage that revived Renaissance medal traditions. Martin Folkes, a prominent English antiquarian and natural philosopher, was honored here for his contributions to numismatics, astronomy, and the Royal Society. Dassier, from Geneva's renowned family of engravers, employed masterful chasing and striking techniques on bronze, achieving remarkable depth and lifelike detail in the portrait. These medals were prized by collectors as both art objects and historical records, blending portraiture with scholarly commemoration. A gift to the Met in 2003, this work highlights the enduring appeal of 18th-century Swiss medal-making, bridging art, science, and portraiture in a compact, elegant form. Visitors will appreciate its tactile bronze patina and the intimate glimpse into Enlightenment portrait traditions.