Louis XIII, King of France (b. 1601, r. 1610–43) 1623

This is Guillaume Dupré's small bronze medal of Louis XIII, King of France, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The medal presents a formal study in power and representation. Notice how Dupré uses the circular format to frame idealized images of the king and allegorical figures. The composition is carefully balanced; each side conveying different facets of Louis XIII's reign. One side features a classical figure of Justice, seated and holding scales, set against the inscription surrounding her. This conveys a sense of order and divine right. The opposite side shows a profile of Louis XIII, with a regal bearing and elaborate collar, surrounded by his royal title. The sharp relief and attention to detail create a tactile quality, enhancing the medal's symbolic weight. The medal is not just a portrait, but a carefully constructed symbol of royal authority and justice, using classical motifs and a refined artistic style. It reflects the complex interplay between art, power, and ideology in the 17th century.