Women in Charles's family
These women played an important role in Charles' power politics. He used them for his dynastic plans, sometimes even forcing them to comply with his wishes. Their loyalty could always be relied upon when they served Charles as governor general in one of his states. Their effigies were handed down on medals, a creation of the Renaissance.
|
![]() Specimen from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York ![]() Medal, 1502, Bourg-en-Bresse. Cast from Jean Marende. Ø 102 mm. Mazerolle 3/11-12 (1904) Obv.: PHiLiBERTVS·DVX·SABAVDiaE·VIII·MaRGVArita·MAXImiliani·CAEsaris·AVGusti· FIlia·Ducissa·SAbaudiae: "Philibert, eighth duke of Savoy, Margaret, daughter of Maximilian, Caesar Augustus, duchess of Savoy"
Rev.: GLORiA IN ALTiSsiMiS·DEO ET IN TERRA PAX·HOMINIBVS : BVRGVS:Busts of Philibert the Fair and Margaret of Austria. Savoy knots and marguerites in the field. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men : Bourg"
Coat of arms of Savoy (cross) and Habsburg: Austria, Burgundy (old and modern), Brabant and Flandern (lions). At the top the "love knot", a symbol of true friendship and unfailing devotion. At the sides knots,marguerites and the letters FE-RT . FERT, the motto of the house of Savoy, has been explained as "foedere et religione tenerum" = "Through unity and religion are we sustained"
![]() Medaillon 1528, model by Conrad Meit. Ø 92 mm. Specimen from Kunstkammer, KHM, Vienna ![]() painted clay (imprint of carved model) and wood. ☤MARGARITA·CESAVM·AVSTRIE·VNICA·FILIA·ET·AMITA·I5Z8 "Margarete, unique daughter and (educating) aunt from Austrian emperors" Look at the portrait of Margaret of Austria as a widow |
![]() Silver medal (about 1538) attributed Matthes Gebel, reworked cast. Ø 42 mm. Habich I/2 1166. Specimen from Coin Cabinet, KHM, Vienna. Obv.: ·FRANCISCVS·I·Dei·Gratia·REX·FRANCIE Bust of Francis I
Rev.: FRANCISCI·I·FRANCORVM·REGIS·EtCetera·LEONORA·CONIVNX"Eleanor, wife of Francis I, king of France, etc." Bust of Eleanor
Compare a painting about 1531
![]() |
![]() Showpiece in lead, 1537, model by Matthes Gebel. Ø 41,7 mm. Stemper 30; Habich I/2 1146; Coll.Lanna 834. Obv.: DOROTHEA·VON·GOTTES·GNADEN·PFALCZ·GREFFIN - bust to the left. Rev.: legend in two lines: BEI·RHEIN·HERCZOGIN·IN·BAIERN·DER·DENMARCK·SCHEN· / KONIGREICH·PRINCESSIN·VND·ERBIN·M·D·XXXVII· square placed on tip, in it the Dannebrog (cross of the Danish flag) in between the coats of arms of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Wenden. Heart shield: Flanders / Brabant with applied Austrian bandage. Dorothea expresses her claim to the Nordic countries, her father had lost.
![]() Cast bronze medal 1533, model by Jacopo da Trezzo. Ø 49 mm, 22,49 g. Coin Cabinet Staatliche Museen, Berlin ![]() Obv.: ·CHRISTIERNA· - ·DVCissa· MEDiolani· - Draped bust with a hood to the right. Rev.: ·FRANC·SFOR·SECONDI·VSOR. - 1533 "Second wife of Francesco Sforza" - Artichoke. From her stay in Milan comes not only this medal, but also a portrait |
![]() Stuck silver medal 1526, on the death of Louis in the battle of Mohacs. Ø 41 mm, 13,33 g. Coll.Horsky 728 (this piece). Obv.: ¤¤LVDOVIC9·VNGA·EC·REX·CONTRA·TVRCA·PVGNANDO·OCCVBVIT bust of Louis with hat between date ·1·5· - Z6 / ETATIS - SVE·30· Rev.: ¤MARIA·REGINA·ETC·QVOS·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·HOMO·NOn·SEperet "Queen Mary etc. the God has joined, man should not separate." - bust of Mary right. Look at the picture painted by Hans Krell in 1524 ![]() Cast medal 1526 (1532) from Hieronimus Dietrich, not signed. Ø 44 mm, 24,6 g. Katz 49. Obv.: ¤¤LVDOVIC9·VNGA·EtC·REX·CONTRA·TVRCA·PVGNANDO·OCCVBVIT "Louis, King of Hungary etc., fell in battle against the Turks" bust of Louis with hat between date and age ·1·5· - ·Z6 / ETATIS - ·SVE·30· ETATIS SVE 30 = "in his 30th year". but he died at the age of 20. Rev.: ¤MARIA·REGINA·EtC·QVOS·DEVS·CONIVNXIT·HOMO·NON·SEPERET "Queen Mary etc. the God has joined, man should not separate." - bust of Mary to the left.
![]() Stuck medal "1526" attributed to Christoph Fuessl. Ø 45 mm, 28,6 g. Coll.Doneb.984. original stuck from 1546 for the 20-year memory of his death in the battle of Mohács. Obv.: LVDOvici:VNGARiae:BOHEmiae:QVE / REGIS·ET·MARIÆ·RE / GINÆ·DVLCISSimaea·COnIV / GIS·AC·PROCEriS / IN·FLANdria "Louis, who ruled Hungary and Bohemia, and Queen Maria, his beloved wife and ... in Flanders" Bust of Louis II (with chain and order of the Golden Fleece) and the bust of his wife Maria face to face. Rev.: LVDOvicus:HVNGariae:BOEMiae:ZC[etc]·REX / ANnVm:AGENS·XX·IN·TVRCAS / APVD·MOHAZ·CVM·PAR / VA·SVORVM·MANV·PV /GNAnS·HONESTE / OBYT·M·D·XXVI "Louis, King of Hungary and Bohemia, fought at the age of 20 against the Turks at Mohács with a small group of followers and suffered an honorable death in 1526" scene from the Battle of Mohács: armoured Louis on horseback surrounded by three followers, is attacked by Turkish riders.
![]() cast silver medal 1532, stone model attributed to Peter Flötner. Ø 72 mm, 127,15 g. Bernhart 73; Habich I/2 1823; Markl 1968. Obv.: bareheaded busts of the Emperor (bearded) and his brother Ferdinand I (beardless) in armor and coat to the right between ·K·Q· and ·REX·F:I: above: CAROLus·V / ·ET·FERdinandus·I·FRatrES· / ROmanorum·IMPerator·ET·REx·REges·HISPaniae·VT / RIus9Que·SICIliae·VNGariae·BOhEmiae·Z&[=et]·ARC / HIDuces·AVSTiae·Duces·BVRGundiae::I·5·32 Rev.: effigy of their sister Maria of Hungary with hair net and beret to the left on engraved damask. (The revers model may have remained unfinished.)
![]() Silver medal (before 1549), dies from Ludwig Neufahrer, Linz. Ø 34 mm, 17,2 g. Habich I/2 1407; Donebauer 983; Markl 1989; Lanna 664. Obv.: +MARIA·REGINA·VNGariae:VIDVA·CAROLI·CESAris:ET·FERDInandi·REgis:SORor "Mary Queen of Hungary, widow, sister of Emperor Charles and King Ferdinand" - Bust with bonnet.
Rev.: +IN·PACIENCIA·POSSIDEBITIS·ANIMAS·VESTRAS·LVCaE·XXI"By standing firm (with patience) you will gain life. Luke 21" (verse 19)
Sitting herdswoman (Patientia), sheep in front, castle in the back, above angel with cross in a cloud. Look at the copy of a lost oil painting around 1548 from Tizian ![]() Cast silver medal (1550), dies from Leone Leoni. Ø 68 mm, 165,11 g. Bernhart 163-5; Armand I 168,26; Toderi/Vannel 63. - On the Marriage of Mary with the Hungarian King on January 13, 1522 - Obv.: IMPerator·CAESar·CAROLVS·V·AVGustus· laureated effigy of the emperor in ceremonial armor, bandage and order of the Golden Fleece on the ribbon. Rev.: MARIA·HVNgariae·BOHemiae·REGina·MDXXI· Effigy of Mary to the left as a Hungarian queen with hat over the hood, 1521.
![]() Cast silver medal n. d. (1555?). Ø 59,5 mm, 51,59 g. v. Loon I, p.5. Obv.: MARIA REGINA HVNGariae et BOHemiae Z LVDOVici VXOR PHILippi REGis HISPaniarum FILia Portrait from the front with bonnet and chain, head turned to the right. Rev.: HIS DEVS OCIA FECIT "God made her busy" Three-master on calm sea under bright sun. |
|
![]() Cast silver medal (1530), workshop Matthes Gebel. 38,6 mm; 33,01 g. Bernhart 66; Habich I/2 1011; Coll.Enzenberg 126 (this piece). Obv.: ·IMP·CAES·CAROLVS·V - Pius·Felix·AVGVSTus·AN·AETatis·XXX Bust right, bearded, flat beret, fleece at the ribbon. Outside narrow leaf wreath. Rev.: ¤IZABELA·CAROLI·IMPERATORIS·VXOR - Bust of Isabella left, necklace. Compare the specimen in the Coin Cabinet, KHM, Vienna [Ø 39,6 mm].
![]() Cast silver medal (c.1550) by J. Jonghelinck after Leone Leoni. Ø 35,6 mm, 25,07 g. Armand I 168,24; Bernhart 169,2; Toderi/Vannel 51. In memory of his deceased wife Isabella of Portugal. Obv.: IMP·CAES·CAR - OLVS V·AVG - Charles V bust with laurel. Rev.: DIVA·ISABELLA·CA - ROLI·V·VXor - Isabel's bust.
![]() Silver medal (ca. 1549), model by Leone Leoni. Ø 75 mm, 124,3 g. Armand I 168,25; Bernhart 163/1; Attwood 28; Domanig 43/44; Slg.Lanna 639. In memory of his deceased wife Isabella of Portugal. Obv.: DIVA·ISABELLA·AVGVSTA·CAROLI·V·VXor "The Blessed Empress Isabella, Charles V's wife" Isabel, half-length magnificently dressed. Rev.: HAS·HABET·ET·SVPERAT "She has these and surpasses them" Three Graces standing in a circle, their arms around each other. On both sides amoretti leap up to them.
Compare Isabels picture Further portraits on coins and medals by Leone Leoni |
![]() Cast bronze medal (before 1562), model attributed Jacopo da Trezzo. Ø 64 mm. Domanig 52; Attwood 76; Armand II 237,6. Obv.: MARIA AVSTriae REGina BOEMiae - CAROLI V IMPeratoris FIlia "Mary of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, daughter from Emperor Charles V" portrait to the left, with headdress, hair-piece and jewel on the band on her chest. Rev.: CONSOCIATIO RERVM DOMINA "Union, mistress of things" A draped figure of Union, holding in her right hand three branches, in her left hand a crown, steps over war trophies.
![]() Cast bronze medal 1562, model by Pompeo Leoni. Ø 35,2 mm. On the Bohemian coronation of Maximilian II. Armand II 238,10, Toderi/Vannel 130. ·MAXIMILIANVS· - ·BOHEmiae·REX· // ·MARIA·AVSTriae - REGina·BOEMiae
![]() Cast silver medal 1575, model by Antonio Abondio. Ø 59 mm. two separate casts in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, N. Y. ![]() Vs.: IMPerator:CAESar: - MAXIMILianus:II:AVGustus: bare-headed bust of Maximilian II in draped armor and with fleece order looking to the right. Rs.: MARIA IMPERatrix: - MDLXXV - Breast image Marias with hood and neck brace to the left. The signature from Antonio Abondio (AN: AB:) behind the back of each figure.
Look at the detail from the
painting 1551 Marys daughter Anna of Austria (1549-1580) ![]() Silver medal 1570, model from Jacques Jonghelinck. Ø 40 mm, 18,51 g. on the marriage to Philip II of Spain. Smolderen 73 p.310; Armand I, 240, 14; v. Loon I p.131. Obv.: ·ANNA AVSTRIACA·PHILYPPI CATHOL· - Bust of Anna of Austria to right, wearing high collar and knotted necklace. In the arm section: ÆT·Z1 Rev.: ·FOELICITATI - PATRIAE· "For fatherlands benefit" - Date palm, symbol of fertility, bottom: engraved date 1570. Compare the medal
![]()
|
![]() Cast bronze medal (about 1552), model by Jacopo da Trezzo. Ø 63 mm. Domanig 49. Obv.: IOANNA AVSTRiae CAROLI - V IMPeratoris FILIA - Bust with beret. Rev.: CONNVBII - FRVCTVS "conjugal offspring" Ceres on a throne, a hare at her feet, a bust of Mars at the leg of the chair. Ceres is the Roman goddess of farming, fertility and marriage.
![]() ![]() Medal 1563 by Gianpaolo Poggini. Ø 38 mm. Domanig 50; Armand I,p.240,n.17; Coll.Wilmersdörffer 42 (this piece). Obv.: ·IOANNA CAROLI·V·AVGustus·FILiae·LVSITANiae·PRINCipae· effegy to the right, in widow's clothing with a high collar; signature below: I.PAVL.POG.Fecit. Rev.: AΠAPA - ΛΛAK - TOΣ· Europe holding cornucopia and bouquet of roses and sitting on a bull to the left. Above: three angels sprinkle roses. Exergue: ·M·D·LXIII· |
![]() Cast bronze medal, about 1550, sign. model by Pier Paolo Galeotti. Ø 45 mm. Armand III.p.107 & II.p.210 n.38; Domanig, Erzhaus Österreich, 64. Obs.: MARGARITA·AVSTRIA·CAROLI·V·IMP·Filia· - Bust left with widow's hood. Under the last word IMP of the legende: the initials PPR from Pier Paolo Galeotti, called Romano, 1520-84. Rev.: NEC·ME·MEA·CVRA·FEFELLIT· "Nor have my anxious hopes deceived me" (Virgil) A crowned woman sitting in a landscape with a tree near a city and receiving a branch from a flying dove.
![]() Cast silver medal 1567 by Giuliano Giannini. Ø 34,3 mm. van Loon I, p.99, no.1; Toderi/Vannel 1639a. On the successful government of Margaret as regent of the Netherlands from 1559 to 1567. Obv.: *MARGARETA AB·AVSTRIA·Ducissa·Parmae·ET Placentiae·Caroli·V·Filia - Bust right. Rev.: BELGICI - ·TVTELA·* "protector of the Burgundian Netherlands" Tutela (Margherita) stands as patron goddess of the Netherlands in the portal of a temple.
![]() Cast bronze medal (1557). Ø 32,5 mm. van Loon I, p.99, No.4. On the successful government of Margaret as regent of the Netherlands from 1559 to 1567. Obv.: MARGARET AB·AVSTRIA·Ducissa·Parmae·Placentiaeque - Bust to the right. Rev.: UT INTER SIDERA✶ "Like under the stars" - Sun shines a garden.
![]() small Cast silver medal, 1567, model by Jacques Jonghelinck. Ø 33 mm Domanig 65 (Obv.); van Loon I, p.99,2. Obv.: MARGARETA·DE·AVSTRIA·Ducissa·Parmea·ET·Placentiae·GERManiae·INFERioris·Gubernatrix "Margaret of Austria, duchess of Parma and Piacenza, governor-general of the Low Countirs" Bust to right, wearing a veiled headdress. Engraved below the shoulder: ÆTatis 45 "at age 45" Rev.: A·DOMINO·FACTVM·EST·ISTVD "This has been accomplished by the Lord" Amazon with sword, palm and laural branches in a stormy landscape with four blowing winds. Engraved below 1567. The allegorical figure is meant to be Margaret. The medal was issued on restoration of order and shortly before Margaret left the Netherlands.
Compere the
painting about 1565 ![]() large Cast silver medal, 1567, model by Jacques Jonghelinck. Ø 66,7 mm, 56,58 g. Smolderen (Jacques Jonghelinck) 56; van Loon I, p.86; Scher 158. Obv.: MARGARETA·DE·AVSTRIA·Ducissa·Parmae·ET·Placentiae·GERMANIÆ·INFERIORIS·GVBernatrix Bust to right, wearing a veiled headdress, a gown with puffed sleeves, and a necklace with a pendant cross. Engraved on the truncation: ÆTatis 45 "at age 45" Rev.: FAVENTE·DEO "If God so wishes" An allegorical figure standing on a rock battered by wind and waves ant turned to the left, wearing a laurel wreath and classical garments, with a sword in the right hand, palm and olive branches in the left. In the background, to the right, are a church and other buildings, partially obscured by shrubbery. To the left, beyond an arm of the sea, is a fortified town, towards which a man is paddling in a small boat. Engraved at the bottom: ○ I567 ○
![]() Satirical cast bronze medal 1566. 17th century work. Ø 60 mm, 56,58 g. v. Loon I, p.75. Obv.: as before. Rev.: QUID PREMITIS REDEAT SI NOBILIS IRA LEONIS - 1566 "Woe to you when the lion resumes his noble anger" - The Dutch lion lies in a bookbinding press and is being "squeezed" by Margarete and Cardinal Granvelle, with the court in the background.
![]() Cast bronze medal n. d. (1567), model by Leone Leoni or Pastorino. Ø 46 mm, 57,93 g. Armand I, 196,48 & 16,165(Rev.); Attwood 933. On the return of Margaret to Italy, after Duke of Alba took over her position in the Netherlands. Obv.: MARGARITA - AVSTRIA· - bust to the right. Rev.: DOMINVS.CVSTODIT.TE.DOMINVS.PROTECTIO.TVA. Riders flee to the right under a stone hail from the walls. Allusion to the escape of Corsair Barbarossa after his arrival in Italy. |