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Medallion with Portrait of Emperor Charles V
(Renaissance Europe )
Adopting the format of Roman coins with portraits of emperors in stern profile introduces the same implicit promise (and threat) of the firm exercise of power. By 1500, interest in Roman coins had spread from Italy to Germany. Gilding lends preciousness and catches the light, bringing out detailing. This medallion was likely made by Hans Schwarz in 1521 for Charles V (1500-1558), newly crowned Holy Roman Emperor, for his first trip to Germany, the traditional core of the empire. Charles was born in the Netherlands and raised there and in Spain and needed the support of the powerful German princes. Commissioning forceful portraits like this one as gifts for them contributed to their perception of his power.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Acquired by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1931; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.
Exhibitions
| 2015 | Gold of the Ancient Americas. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2000 | Small Northern European Portraits from The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. National Gallery of Art, Washington. |
| 1995 | The Allure of Bronze. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 9/8/1958 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 1/1/1988 | Treatment | cleaned; other |
| 1/12/1988 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 1/4/1995 | Treatment | cleaned |
| 3/1/2005 | Treatment | cleaned; coated |
Geographies
Germany, Nuremberg
(Place of Origin)
Germany, Augsburg (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Diam: 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1931
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
54.1011