Cast and chased gold medal of
Mary I, by Jacopo da Trezzo
Brussels or London, about AD
1554-55
A royal wedding gift?
Jacopo da Trezzo (about 1514-89) was a
specialist goldsmith and gem-engraver who made large, elaborately
worked, cast medals. Originally from Milan, from about 1555 he was
working in the Netherlands for the Habsburg King Philip II of Spain
(reigned 1556-98), who had become the ruler of Milan in 1540, when
his father Emperor Charles V invested him with the duchy. Jacopo
accompanied Philip to Spain in
1559.
This medal depicts
Queen Mary I of England (reigned 1553-58), who was married to
Philip from 1554 until her death. Having her portrait made by a
Milanese medallist was part of the process of presenting herself to
the world as a Habsburg bride. At about the same time, the Habsburg
court portraitist, Antonis Mor (about 1516-1576), was sent to paint
Mary's portrait. Jacopo may even have gone with him to
London; the images by the painter and the medallist are closely
related.
The reverse of the
medal is intended to suggest the peaceful state of England under
Mary's rule, with a figure of Peace burning arms and
armour, and banishing storm clouds. Beneath her are symbols of
stability (the cube), unity (clasped hands), and justice (scales).
Given Mary's terrible persecution of Protestants during her
reign, for which she earned the byname 'Bloody
Mary', it was hardly an accurate
image.
The medal survives
in many other silver and bronze examples. This example is the
unique surviving gold specimen, which may have been commissioned by
Philip as a gift to Mary.
P. Attwood, The currency of fame: portra-7, exh. cat. (New York, 1994)
E. Hawkins, Medallic illustrations of the (London, Trustees of the British Museum, 1885)