{"product_id":"obverse-and-reverse-of-a-medal-with-portraits-of-henry-iii-and-catherine-de-medici-bernard-picart","title":"Obverse and Reverse of a Medal with Portraits of Henry III and Catherine de' Medici - Bernard Picart","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed etching by Bernard Picart depicting the obverse and reverse of a commemorative medal featuring King Henry III and Catherine de' Medici.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis print by Bernard Picart depicts the obverse and reverse sides of a commemorative medal featuring profiles of King Henry III of France and his mother, Catherine de' Medici. Picart, a French engraver who spent much of his career in the Netherlands, was known for his technical precision and his ability to document historical objects with accuracy. The work captures the formal, regal profiles typical of Renaissance-era coinage, rendered here with the refined line work characteristic of eighteenth-century printmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition presents the two figures within circular frames, mimicking the physical constraints of a metal coin. Henry III is shown in profile, wearing a ruff and armour, while Catherine de' Medici is depicted in her characteristic widow's attire. The use of a single-colour ink tone provides a sense of material authenticity, suggesting the metallic quality of the original medal. Picart employs fine hatching to create volume and shadow, defining the facial features and the textures of the clothing without excessive ornamentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically, such prints were produced to accompany numismatic catalogues or historical texts, allowing scholars and collectors to examine rare medals that were otherwise inaccessible. Picart’s approach is objective and analytical, focusing on the clear representation of the subjects. The print serves as a record of the iconography associated with the Valois dynasty, reflecting the interest in historical portraiture that occupied many artists during the early Enlightenment. The initials B.P. are visible between the two circles, confirming the artist's hand in this meticulous study. This piece is a fine example of the intersection between historical documentation and the art of the print, offering a glimpse into the way European history was curated and disseminated through visual media during the eighteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/portrait-of-william-herbert-3rd-earl-of-pembroke-lucas-vorsterman-i\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePortrait of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke - Lucas Vorsterman (I) by Lucas Vorsterman the Elder\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/willem-ii-van-oranje-nassau-en-maria-stuart-gerard-van-honthorst\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eWillem II van Oranje-Nassau en Maria Stuart by Gerard van Honthorst\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/collections\/bernard-picart\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eBernard Picart artwork →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bernard Picart","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59462280315215,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59462280380751,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59462280479055,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59462280511823,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59462280577359,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Obverse-and-Reverse-of-a-Medal-with-Portraits-of-Henry-III-and-Catherine-de-Medici_Poster_CompositorV1_1792113576140.jpg?v=1794359026","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/en-nz\/products\/obverse-and-reverse-of-a-medal-with-portraits-of-henry-iii-and-catherine-de-medici-bernard-picart","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}