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Preview image of work. bronze,  Louis XIV (1638–1715), Reception of the Queen of Sweden 1656 33670
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1966.131.8.b

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Louis XIV (1638–1715), Reception of the Queen of Sweden 1656

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Artists

Jean Dollin (1725); Jean Mauger (Dieppe, 1648 - 1722)

Title

Louis XIV (1638–1715), Reception of the Queen of Sweden 1656

Creation Date

ca. 1723

Century

18th century

Dimensions

1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.)

Classification

Medals/Plaquettes

Creation Place

Europe, France

Medium and Support

bronze

Credit Line

Gift of Amanda Marchesa Molinari

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1966.131.8.b

Louis XIV’s court usually received foreign royal visitors in pompous public displays that included parades, fireworks, performances, and banquets. After the guests’ celebratory arrival, the court and the visitors exchanged lavish gifts and discussed business behind closed doors. This medal documents such an event in 1656, prompted by the visit of Queen Christina of Sweden. Translation from the Medailles sur les principaux evenements du regne entier de Louis le Grand, pg. 44: The Reception of the Queen of Sweden, 1656 Christina, the only daughter of the great Gustave, and Queen of Sweden, was a princess very celebrated for her wit and knowledge; but her abdication of the crown, and her conversion to the Catholic faith, acquired her still more glory. After spending some time in Rome, she planned to come to France to see the King, whose reputation was growing day by day. At once the King sent his own officers, with orders to treat her during her stay and wherever she might travel, with all honors due to her rank and reputation. She landed at Marseilles on the 29th of July; this town, and all the others through which she traveled provided her with magnificent receptions. On the 8th of September she entered Paris, where nothing had been overlooked that might increase the pomp of her reception. She was lodged at the Louvre in Her Majesty’s own apartment. A few days later, the King who came from Flanders, received her at Chantilly, with great marks of esteem and friendship. At last she was treated at court and throughout the kingdom in the manner most fitting to her dignity and the magnificence of the King. This is the subject of this medal; where is represented the King receiving the Queen of Sweden. The words of the legend, HOSPITALITAS AUGUSTA, signify, “august hospitality,” and those of the exergue, CHRISTINA SUECORUM REGNA IN GALLIA EXCEPTA M. DC. VI. “Christine Queen of Sweden received in France in 1656.”

Object Description

Jean Mauger/Jean Dollin, 264 LOUIS XIV, Reception of the Queen of Sweden (1656)

Obv. Head to right. Around, LUDOVICUS XIIII . REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS . ; below, J . MAVGER . F
Rev. Louis receiving the queen. Around, HOSPITALITAS AUGUSTA . ; lower right, D; in exergue, CHRISTINA SUECORUM REGINA | IN GALLIA EXCEPTA | M . DC . LVI
Bronze, 41 mm.

From the reformed Uniform Series.

Bibl.: Jacquiot, no. 257 (obverse similar); no. 211 (reverse); Jacquiot, Medailles, p. 108, pl. 20, 5; Forrer i, p. 598; Louis XIV, p. 44.