Bronze medal from the Florence Accademia delle Belle Arti, 1816

Abstract

General Description: This medal is probably that given for the "minor prizes" of the Florence Academy of Fine Arts starting in 1816. For another type of prize medal see the example by Santarelli from 1812.

Obverse Description: The obverse features the bust of Minerva. The surround bears the inscription "UN EMULA VIRTU GLI ANIMI ACCENDA" (an emulated virtue of the fighting spirits) as well as the artist's name "SERIES F" [F stands for "Fecit" or "made it"] along the bottom.

Reverse Description: The reverse bears three interlocking wreaths of the Florence Accademia delle Belle Arti. The surround features the inscription "ACCEDEMIA FLORENTINA DELLE BELLI ARTI" (Florence Accademia delle Belli Arti).

Historical Context:

Artist Biography: Regarding authorship of the medal, the Siries family of medalists owes its origins in Florence to Louis Siries (1686-1762), a Frenchman, who worked for Louis XV and came to Florence in 1740 with an appointment to the Grand Ducal Gallery. He generally signed LOVIS SIRIES or L. S. and was known for his fine detail work in various media, notably gems. He was engraver to the Florentine Mint as late as 1766. Louis' son, Cosimo (d.1789), followed the profession as engraver and expert in gemstone work while a daughter, Violante Beatrice Siries (1709?83), was a painter. Cosimo's son was also named Louis [or Italianized as Luigi] (1743-1811) and is probably that mentioned by Forrer as producing Florentine coinage from sometime after 1767 to 1803. He also produced medals, including one for the Florence Accademia della Crusca. Luigi's son was Carlo Siries (1778-1854), who followed the same profession and was engraver at the Florentine mint from 1819-1836. All of those named were at respective points inscribed as members of the Accademia delle Belle Arti and the four males were each at one time director of the director of the Galleria dei lavori [delle Pietre Dure].

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