Medal Depicting Eleonora Gonzaga (1685–1742)

Art Historical Context

This finely crafted medal, created by the Italian engraver and medallist Antonio Francesco Selvi 1739, honors Eleonora Gonzaga1685–1742), a noblewoman from the Gonzaga family of Mantua, long-time patrons of the arts. 8.3 cm in diameter, the piece belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Painting and Sculpture of, where it is classified as a medal—a small-scale sculptural form blending portraiture and commemorative art. Medals like this one were a prestigious medium in 18th Europe, often produced during an individual’s lifetime as diplomatic gifts, personal tokens, or symbols of status. Selvi, a Florentine artist active in the Baroque tradition, excelled in capturing lifelike profiles with intricate detailing, evident here in the lead casting enhanced by wax elements for added luster and tactility. The use of lead, a relatively soft and affordable metal, allowed for precise modeling, while wax may have served for impressions or finishing touches, highlighting the technical innovation in medal production. This artwork reflects the enduring Renaissance revival of ancient Roman coinage, adapted for modern nobility. It invites visitors to appreciate the intimate artistry of medals, which packed grand historical narratives into palm-sized objects.

About the Artist

Antonio Francesco Selvi · 1679–1755

Antonio Francesco Selvi (1679–1753) was a prominent Florentine sculptor and medallist whose exquisite bronze portraits captured the elegance of late Baroque Italy. Little is known of his early life before he arrived in Florence in 1698, but he quickly established himself in the city's vibrant artistic scene by studying under Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi, the renowned bronze-worker, sculptor, medalli...