After turning to Napoleon for support in 1808, following his father’s abdication, Ferdinand VII (1784–1833) was stripped by the French Emperor of royal powers and imprisoned. Protesting the perceived injustice of Napoleon’s actions, members of the College, Seminario Tridentino, distributed this emblem to recognize the man they saw as their leader. The reverse of Guerrero’s medal depicts a rich allegorical scene. The Latin inscription around the top reads “Fidelity victorious over Deceit.” Guerrero chooses to depict the triumph of Fidelity, implicitly referencing Spain, over Deceit (France). The personification of Fidelity is further amplified by her companion, a faithful dog who leads her to the Temple of Virtue. Following Napoleon’s defeat in 1814, Ferdinand VII regained the monarchy.
Object Description
357 FERDINAND VII (1784-1833), King of Spain, 1808 1809
Obv. Bust to left, in military uniform. Around, FERDIN . VII HISPAN . REX INDIARVMQVE IMPERATOR . ; below, J. Guerrero
Rev. Female figure holding shield with portrait inscribed around, FERDIN . VII . CATHOL . , strides over Discord behind a dog toward a round temple on a hill. On rocks in left foreground, inscribed, Guerrera | [illegible] I 4 (?) Medalla; around, FIDELITAS DOLI VICTRIX . ; in exergue, [REGE] A GALL . PERFID . CAPTO 1 [MEX] TRIDENT SEMIN . [ MDCCCIX
Gilt bronze, struck, 46 mm. Top extends with ribbon, wheat stalks and loop for hanging. Widest point, 54 mm.
The Seminario Tridentino of Mexico to the Captive King of Spain. In 1808 Ferdinand was forced by Napoleon to renounce his throne in favor of Charles IV, who resigned his rights to Napoleon, who gave the Spanish throne to Joseph Bonaparte. Ferdinand was imprisoned in France from 1808-14. Throughout the Spanish Empire his name was a rallying cry of revolutionaries. When he was restored in 1814, however, he proved himself a reactionary, and during his later reign, the Spanish colonies in North and South America were lost through the same rebellions that had supported him during his early captivity.
Bibl.: Forrer 2, p. 337; Vives, no. 280, pl. 10, 5.
