Maria Magdalena of Austria (1591–1631) was the wife of Cosimo II de’ Medici. This depiction of Maria Magdalena in her court dress was among several portraits of the Medici family made by Dupré during his visit to Florence in 1613. A painting of the Grand Duchess in a similar robe and white lace collar, by Justus Sustermans, now in Siena, Italy, demonstrates the desired continuity between mediums to establish an accepted image and a cohesive legacy for the sitter. Along with the painting, this medal serves as remarkable documentation of fashion during the early seventeenth century.
Object Description
247 MARIA MAGDALENA OF AUSTRIA, Grand Duchess of Tuscany (1591-1631), wife of Cosimo II, 1608 1613
Obv. Bust to left, in court costume. Around, MAR . MAGDALENE . ARCH . AVSTR . MAG . D . ETR; below, GDP 1613
Without reverse
Bronze, 93 mm. Hollow cast
See no. 246. A duplicate of this medal is also in the Molinari Collection (1966.117.14; bronze, dark brown patina, 94 mm.).
Bibl.: Kress, no. 562; Supino, no. 848; Brescia i, p. 112, no. 792; Migeon, no. 594; Mazerolle 2, no. 671 (as the reverse of a medal of Cosimo II); Tresor France 2, pl. 10, 3; Heraeus, pl. 63, 2 (as reverse of medal of Cosimo II, unsigned); Fabriczy, p. 183, pl. 36, 5 (as Mola); Habich, p. 119 (as signed by Mola and Dupre).
