Medallion with Family Portrait

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medallion, crafted in the 18th century yet styled after 4th-century early Christian art, showcases the enduring appeal of verre églomisé, a delicate glass technique involving gold leaf application and intricate engraving. Created by an unknown Italian artist, the piece captures a family portrait within a circular frame, evoking the intimate commemorative medallions of late antiquity. Its small scale—just over three inches wide—highlights the precision required to etch fine details onto the gilded surface, a method that flourished in Europe as a luxurious decorative art form. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Medieval Art, the medallion reflects 18th-century fascination with classical revival, blending Renaissance-era craftsmanship with ancient motifs. Verre églomisé allowed artists to achieve luminous, jewel-like effects that mimicked precious metals and stones, making such objects treasured for both personal devotion and display. Gifted by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, it stands as a testament to Italy’s rich tradition of glasswork and the timeless human desire to preserve family legacies through art.