Obverse and Reverse of a Medal with Portraits of Philip VI and Blanche of Navarre - Bernard Picart

A detailed etching by Bernard Picart depicting the obverse and reverse of a historical medal featuring Philip VI of France and Blanche of Navarre.

This print by Bernard Picart depicts the obverse and reverse sides of a commemorative medal featuring Philip VI of France and his queen, Blanche of Navarre. Picart, a French engraver who spent much of his career in Amsterdam, was known for his meticulous documentation of historical subjects and religious ceremonies. This work demonstrates his precision in rendering metallic surfaces and relief portraiture through line work. The composition presents the two royal figures in profile, enclosed within circular borders that mimic the physical form of a coin or medallion. The left side shows Philip VI, crowned and wearing ornate royal attire, while the right side displays Blanche of Navarre, similarly adorned with a crown and period-appropriate jewellery. The Latin inscriptions surrounding each portrait provide the necessary identification and royal titles, typical of numismatic design from the period. The artist has captured the specific textures of the metal, using hatching and cross-hatching to suggest the depth and volume of the original object. At the top of the sheet, a handwritten note in French indicates the source of the image, stating it was drawn after a gold medallion belonging to the Abbé Fauvel. This provenance note adds a layer of historical context, showing how eighteenth-century artists often relied on private collections to document historical figures. The print is executed in a monochromatic brown ink, which lends it the appearance of a sepia-toned study or a preparatory drawing for a larger publication. The clean lines and balanced arrangement reflect the disciplined approach of a master engraver working within the traditions of the early eighteenth century. This piece is suitable for those interested in the history of numismatics, royal portraiture, or the technical craft of European printmaking.