Antoine de Loménie, 1560-1638, Counselor and Secretary of State 1606 [obverse] 1630

This bronze medal, created by an anonymous artist, portrays Antoine de Loménie, a counselor and Secretary of State in 1606. The medal presents a study in contrasts and subtle textures. The subject, depicted in profile, dominates the composition, his form tightly confined within the circular boundary, creating a sense of immediacy. Note how the artist has rendered the textures of fabric and skin, contrasting the smooth planes of the face with the intricate patterns of the robe. The inscription that frames the portrait functions as both a border and a semiotic device, adding layers of meaning to the image. The overall effect is one of restrained power, where the formal elements of line, texture, and composition work together to convey the sitter's status and character. The medal is not merely a representation, but a carefully constructed object designed to communicate specific ideas about identity, power, and representation in the early 17th century.