Louis XVIII commemorative medal; France, c. 1850.

Commemorative medal of Louis XVIII; France, c. 1850.
Patinated bronze.
Measurements: 9,5 x 8 cm.
Commemorative medal of Louis XVIII, made in France around 1850 and cast in patinated bronze. The obverse shows the bust of the monarch, represented in profile, with a precise modeling that highlights the severity of his features and the dignity of his bearing. The face, meticulously worked in the line of the academic engraving, transmits solemnity and authority, in accordance with the official iconography of the time.
The surface of the bronze, smoothly patinated, gives the portrait an air of noble sobriety, reinforcing its commemorative character. This type of medals not only fulfilled a function of homage, but also disseminated the royal image in a lasting and accessible format, perpetuating the memory of the sovereign in private collections and institutions.
The piece responds to the neoclassical taste of the 19th century, in which the medal became a privileged vehicle to exalt the figure of kings, heroes and political events, combining formal elegance with narrative clarity. In this case, the representation of Louis XVIII reaffirms the link between art, power and historical memory in post-Restoration France.