Pierre Jeannin
Guillaume Dupré
(French, 1574–1642)
1600–25
Object PlaceFrance
Medium/TechniqueMetal; bronze (85-90% copper with up to 6% tin, about 2% each of zinc and lead with some silver)
DimensionsDiameter: 19.4 cm (7 5/8 in.)
Credit LineIn memory of John F. Paramino, Boston Sculptor
Accession number1984.531
On View
On viewClassificationsNumismatics
Collections
This large medallion is distinguished by the sharp modeling of the hair and beard, a sense of amplitude in the chest and shoulders of the sitter, and the polish and richness of the patination. But it is the sensitivity with which the 78-year-old man is presented that makes this such a memorable portrait of Pierre Jeannin, jurist, diplomat and close councilor to the king of France, Louis XIII. The relief is so fine and its surface so carefully worked that it is likely to have been the first cast made by the artist, Guillaume Dupré.
InscriptionsInscribed at edge "PETRVS·IEANNIN·REG·CHRIST·A.SECR·CONS·ET·SAC·AERA·PRAEF" [last three letters overlapping bust] ["Pierre Jeannin, member of the private council of the most Christian king, superintendant of finances"] and below bust "·G·DVPRE·F·1618·".ProvenanceLe Bouclier, Rotterdam; 1984, Alain Moatti, Paris; 1984, sold by Alain Moatti to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 24, 1984)
late 13th–14th century
5th–6th century
second half of 15th century (?)
late 12th–early 13th century
