Hercule-François, 1544-1584, Duc d'Alençon and d'Anjou [obverse] c. 17th century

This bronze medal portraying Hercule-François, Duke of Alençon and Anjou, was created anonymously, likely around the time of his death in 1584. Hercule, as the younger brother of King Henry III, navigated the treacherous waters of 16th-century French politics, a period marked by religious conflict and shifting alliances. The medal presents a regal profile, yet Hercule's life was fraught with the challenges of his perceived inadequacy and disfigurement from a childhood illness. His political ambitions were often thwarted, and he was used as a pawn in dynastic games. This portrait, then, performs a specific kind of idealization, masking his physical imperfections and underscoring his noble status. Consider how the creation of this image serves to solidify and broadcast a particular narrative—one of power and legitimacy—during a time when identities were both rigidly defined and constantly contested. The emotional weight of this piece lies in the tension between the idealized representation and the complex reality of Hercule's life.