LAURANA, Francesco
(b. ca. 1430, Vrana, d. 1502, Avignon)

Medal of Jean d'Anjou (obverse)

1464
Lead, diameter 87 mm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

From 1461 to 1466 Laurana worked in Provence, largely in Marseille. During this period he made medals for René I, Duke of Anjou, and his circle. The designs of the medals, which show a familiarity with those from the circles of Pisanello and Matteo de’ Pasti, combine Late Gothic elements with Classical motifs based on Roman medals.

The obverse of the medal shows Jean d'Anjou, Duke of Calabria and Lorraine (1427–1470). The inscription in margin: IOHANES DVX CALABER ET LOTHORINGVS SIOVLI · REGIS PRIMOGENITVS