Paul Bosco Coins and Medals

Medallions of David dAngers

Pierre Jean David dAngers is one of the artists who most fully transcends the boundaries between relief sculpture and the medal. He made about 500 medallion portraits of his contemporaries in early nineteenth century Paris, many of whom were personal friends or acquaintances from the artistic and political milieux he frequented. He considered these informal pieces esquisses, or sketches, by comparison with his grand monumental sculptures.

 

The medallions are listed according to the definitive catalogue: J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999).

 

Internet special!

The Reinis book has become a collectors item in itself; its out-of-print and no copies are available from the publisher. In addition to the one we use for our cataloguing, we have managed to acquire a second copy, which we will sell for $600 to the first person who contacts us at pauljbosco@covad.net.

 

 

Reinis 19. Medallion portrait of Honor de Balzac by David dAngers, 1843

Balzac dedicated his novel Cur de Tours to David dAngers. Though this is a late aftercast, it is of excellent quality and full size.

Inv. 3168. Bronze, Late aftercast. 177 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #19.

$295

Description: Balzac.jpg

Figure 1 Balzac Medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 35. Medallion portrait of Jeremy Bentham by David dAngers

Bentham was ad English philosopher and jurist whose theory of utilitarianism posited that the goal of government was the greatest happiness for the greatest number. He advocated a laissez-faire approach to economics, the separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, the right to divorce, and the decriminalization of homosexual acts

Inv. 3523. Bronze, Original hollow casting with contemporary mount. 153 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #35.

$1,650

Description: Bentham.jpg

Figure 2 Jeremy Bentham medallion by David d'Angers

 

Reinis 36. Medallion portrait of Pierre-Jean de Branger by David dAngers

Branger was a poet and a writer of satirical songs that proclaimed his Republican and Bonapartist convictions, attacking the Restoration regimes.

Inv. 441. Bronze, Tiny hole at top for wall mounting. 133 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #36.

$1,250

Description: Beranger.jpg

Figure 3 Beranger medallion by David d'Angers

 

Reduction of the medallion portrait of Pierre-Jean de Branger by David dAngers

As Reinis discusses on page xxii of his catalogue, some of Davids medallions are known in reduced size casts. We have such a reduction of the Branger portrait, not listed by Reinis, in our stock. It is an excellent and obviously early cast reduction. On the back whatever foundry mark there may have been is obliterated.

Inv. 3705. Bronze, loop attached, 70 mm. Extremely fine with faint spotting.

$350

Figure 4 Berenger reduction

 

Reinis 55. Medallion portrait of Franois-Antoine, comte de Boissy dAnglas, by David dAngers

Boissy dAnglas managed to survive as a statesman throughout the turmoil of the French Revolution. A member of the National Convention, he voted against the execution of Louis XVI and opposed the regime of Robespierre. He was a member of the Committee of Public Safety, and then a senator under Napoleon and a peer under Louis XVIII.

Inv. 3167. Bronze, 159 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #55.

$1,500

Description: Boissy d'Anglas.jpg

Figure 5 Boisssy dAnglas medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 81. Medallion portrait of Lord Byron by David dAngers

George Gordon Byron, 6th Lord Byron was enormously popular among liberal thinkers across Europe, especially for his embrace of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Inv. 3525. Bronze, Foundry mark of Richard Frres, contemporary mount. This example was viewed by our friend Joe Reinis, who pronounced it pre-1844. 135 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #81.

Please see our separate page of Byron medals.

$4,500

Description: Byron.jpg

Figure 6 Lord Byron medallion by David d'Angers

 

Reinis 89. Medallion portrait of Armand Carrel by David dAngers, 1832

Carrel was a statesman and journalist, who wrote several important historical works.

Inv. 3522. Bronze, cast. Although very nice, this is probably a slightly later casting. 155 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #89.

$595

Description: Carrel.jpg

Figure 7 Carrel medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 99. Medallion portrait of Chateaubriand by David dAngers, 1830.

Franois-August-Ren, vicomte de Chateaubriand was a statesman and essayist.

Inv. 3521. Bronze, cast. Quite nice, but an old aftercast. 124 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #99.

$800

Description: Chateaubriand.jpg

Figure 8 Chateaubriand medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 205. Medallion portrait of Johann W. von Goethe by David dAngers, 1835

Inv. 3368. Bronze cast. 219 x 230 mm.Superb aftercast, c. 1875 (original would go for $6,000). J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #205.

$1,200

Description: Goethe by David d'Angers.jpg

Figure 9 Goethe Medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 218. Medallion portrait of Samuel Hahnemann by David dAngers, 1835

Hahnemann was a German physician who practiced in France. He is generally considered the founder of homeopathic medicine.

Inv. 3520. Bronze, cast. Casting flaw in the field before the eyes, otherwise a superb cast and patina. 156 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #218.

$2,500

Description: Hahnemann.jpg

Figure 10 Samuel Hahnemann medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 244. Medallion portrait of the Napoleonic general Jean-Baptiste Kleber by David dAngers, 1831

This is a later cast but excellent, with a superb patina

Inv. 3171. Bronze, aftercast. 172 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #244.

$550

Description: Kleber.jpg

Figure 11 Kleber Medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 259. Medallion portrait of Alphonse de Lamartine by David dAngers, 1843

Lamartine is often considered the greatest French poet of the early nineteenth century.

Inv. 3519. Bronze, cast. Four holes for mounting, but they are not really distracting. 132 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #259.

$1,900

Description: Lamartine.jpg

Figure 12 Alphonse de Lamartine by David dAngers

 

Reinis 260. Medallion portrait of Alexandre-Thodore-Victor, Count of Lameth by David dAngers, 1825

The Count of Lameth was a general under Lafayette, and served in the American Revolution under Rochambeau. This the highest relief we have observed on a medallion by David dAngers.

Inv. 3518. Bronze, cast. 173 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #260.

$1,900

Description: Lameth.jpg

Figure 13 Count of Lameth by David dAngers

 

Reinis 312. Medallion portrait of Giacomo Meyerbeer by David dAngers, 1842.

Davids 1842 portrait of the Jewish operatic composer Meyerbeer is typical of his refined yet informal style. This example is a finely detailed original cast, of almost exactly the same diameter as the examples in the Louvre and the Muse dAngers.

Inv. 3163. Bronze, Original hollow casting, no foundry mark. 167 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #312.

sold

 

 
$2,500

Description: Meyerbeer by David d'Angers.jpg

Figure 14 Meyerbeer medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 333. Medallion portrait of Eliza Condorcet OConor by David dAngers, 1830

Eliza Condorcet was the daughter of the French revolutionary Marquis de Condorcet and wife of the Irish general Arthur OConor. Desirable as a female portrait and as an Irish subject

Inv. 3517. Bronze, cast. 127 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #333.

$2,000

Description: O'Conor.jpg

Figure 15 Eliza Condorcet OConor medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 356. Medallion portrait of Charles Percier by David dAngers, 1835

Percier was the principal architect under Napoleon, designing his additions to Malmaison, the Louvre and the Tuileries.

Inv. 3516. Bronze, cast, contemporary mount. 168 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #356.

$1,350

Description: Perier.jpg

Figure 16 Charles Percier medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 360. Medallion portrait of Charles-Antoine-Guillaume Pigault de lEspinoy by David dAngers, 1843

Pigault-Lebrun was a notorious libertine and free-thinker, active in the French Revolution, and the author of twenty plays.

Inv. 3515. Bronze, cast. Cast late in the nineteenth century with an integral mount; a decent cast. 131 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #360.

$495

Description: Pigault-Lebrun.jpg

Figure 17 Pigault Lebrun medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 362. Medallion portrait of Pitt Rivers by David dAngers, 1834

George Pitt, Baron Rivers, was an English peer and cavalry officer, educated at Oxford University. The portrait medallion of him by David dAngers shows him as a vibrant young soldier and man about town.

Inv. 3166. Bronze, Original hollow casting, no foundry mark. 159 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #362.

$1,250

Description: Pitt Rivers.jpg

Figure 18 Pitt Rivers medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 403. Medallion portrait of the French Revolutionary leader Robespierre by David dAngers, 1835

Inv. 3172. Bronze, aftercast. 143 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #403.

$650

Description: Robespierre.jpg

Figure 19 Robespierre Medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 422. Medallion portrait of Francisco de Paula Santander by David dAngers, 1830.

Santander was a Colombian revolutionary, frequently in opposition to Simon Bolivar. When this portrait was done Santander was in exile, charged with a failed assassination attempt on Bolivar. This example is an original cast with a beautiful patina.

Inv. 3164. Bronze, Original hollow casting, no foundry mark. 147 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #422.

$1,500

Description: Santander.jpg

Figure 20 Santander medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 427. Medallion portrait of the Friedrich Schiller by David dAngers, c. 1840

Inv. 3369. Bronze cast. 230 mm. Superior aftercast c. 1875 (original would go for $5,000). J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #427.

$900

Description: Schiller by David d'Angers.jpg

Figure 21 Schiller Medallion by David dAngers

 

Reinis 444. Medallion portrait of Martial Sauquaire-Soulign by David dAngers, 1843

Sauquaire-Soulign was a politician and member of the Convention following the French Revolution. A fine portrait with psychological intensity.

Inv. 3514. Bronze, cast. Superb patina. 162 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #444.

$1,900

Description: Sauquaire-Souligne.jpg

Figure 22 Sauquaire-Soulign by David dAngers

 

Reinis 461. Medallion portrait of Augustin Thierry by David dAngers, 1828

Thierry was an idealistic historian, who wrote works that combined history, poetry and epic literature.

Inv. 3513. Bronze,cast. Late nineteenth century cast, sharp but of only moderate quality. 135 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #461.

$350

Description: Thierry.jpg

Figure 23 Thierry by David d'Angers

 

Reinis 469. Medallion portrait of Francesco Gabriel de la Concepcin Valdes by David dAngers, 1833

Valdes was a Cuban patriot who wrote a series of popular poetry under the penname of Plcido, condemning Spanish oppression and slavery. This beautiful example is a finely detailed original cast.

Inv. 3165. Bronze, Original hollow casting, no foundry mark. 164 mm. J. G. Reinis, The Portrait Medallions of David dAngers (New York, 1999), #469.

$3,000

Description: Valdes.jpg

Figure 24 Valdes medallion by David dAngers

 

Three other nineteenth century French medals in the tradition of David dAngers:

Pierre Franois Juteau by Jean Jacques Barre (1793-1855)

Not in the extensive listing in Forrers Biographical Dictionary of Medalists of Barres work. Forrer does not describe any medals by Jean Jacques Barre as being cast. We regard this excellent medal as an important piece, given that Jean Jacques Barre was as important a Paris Mint artist as anyone.

Inv. 3526. Bronze uniface casting, 124 mm.

$1,250

Description: Juteau.jpg

Figure 25 Pierre Francois Juteau medallion by Barre

 

Bearded gentleman by Albert-Dsir Barre (1818-1878).

A lovely cast, of refined style, by this important Paris Mint artist. His cast medals must be very rare. The price might well be 50% higher if the sitter were known.

Cast bronze, 122 mm.

$495

Description: Barre.jpg

Figure 26 Medallion by Albert-Desire Barre

 

Henri Regnault by Charles Jean-Marie Degeorge (1837-88)

This portrait of the painter Regnault corresponds to the one that formed the centerpiece of the monument in the cole des Beaux-Arts to the French artists who perished in the Franco-Prussian War. Forrer gives the date 1881 for this production, one of a series of medals which rank among the best of modern masters. Unlike David, who relishes the modeling of every strand of hair, Degeorge smoothes out the high details in the portrait to achieve a painterly softness. One of the first medalists to take this modern approach, he models with a surety that has resulted in a portrait that achieves both strength and sensitivity. The painter Regnault (born 1843, died January 1871) died at the front in waning days of the Franco-Prussian war. He is probably best known for his Salome in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, acquired in 1916 after an energetic campaign to keep it in France.

Cast bronze, 118 mm.

$1,500

Description: Regnault.jpg

Figure 27 Henri Regnault medallion by Degeorge

 

Click here for a complete listing of our personal medals.

For information on these medals, or any others in our stock, email me at pauljbosco@covad.net .