François I, 1494-1547, King of France 1515 [obverse] 1537

This is a portrait medal of François I, King of France, made in the mid-16th century by Ludwig Neufahrer. It’s made of bronze, likely cast using the lost wax method, which allowed for incredibly fine detail in the king’s beard and clothing. The choice of bronze is significant. Though not as precious as gold or silver, bronze was durable and capable of capturing intricate designs, making it ideal for commemorative objects. The process of casting would have involved creating a wax model, investing it in a mold, melting out the wax, and then pouring in molten bronze. This required considerable skill, reflecting the specialized labor of the Renaissance workshop. What is most interesting about the materiality of this medal is the tradition it fits into. Coinage was one of the key visual propaganda tools for monarchs, a way of stamping their identity onto the world and into the pockets of their subjects. The medal is a direct ancestor to the mass produced coins we use everyday. It reminds us of the deep connections between art, power, and the burgeoning economies of early modern Europe.