Louis XV (1710–1774) 1770

Jean-Baptiste Nini made this terracotta medallion of Louis XV in France, around 1760. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth" in Italian, is a low-fired ceramic material, commonly used for sculpture and architectural details. Here, the material has been carefully modeled to capture the likeness of the French monarch in profile. Notice the crisp detail of his hair, and the precise inscription around the perimeter. Given terracotta’s relative affordability and ease of production through molding, it allowed for wider circulation of royal imagery. Nini was a master of this process, creating numerous portrait medallions that served as propaganda, reinforcing the king's image and authority. The choice of terracotta, rather than a more precious material like marble or bronze, speaks to a desire for broader dissemination of the royal image. Ultimately, this work blurs the lines between art, craft, and political tool, reminding us that even seemingly simple materials can carry significant cultural weight.