Coenraad Bloc (about 1545 - after 1602)
Medal of Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain (1566-1633), Marriage to Archduke Albert of Austria (1559-1621), 1599
Bronze, 4.3 cm (1 11/16 in.)
The obverse side of this circular medal shows the profile of Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain facing to our left. She wears a fluted collar fitting closely around her neck. Her dress shows detailed carving, and she wears multiple strands of beads or pearls and drop earrings. A band of beads surrounds the rim of the medal. Inside the rim, this lettering appears: ELISABETA. D. G. INF. HISP. D. BVR BRA C FL. HOL. ZE. A simple ring is attached to the top of the medal. The reverse side of the medal shows the profile of Archduke Albert facing to our right. His wavy hair is cropped and he has a mustache. He also wears a fluted collar fitting closely around his neck, and what appears to be military dress. A band of beads surrounds the rim. Inside the rim, the following lettering appears: ALBERTVS. D. G. ARCHID. AVST. D. BVR. BR. C. FL. DNS. FR.
Vatichino
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.