Empress Maria Theresa (1717–1780)

Jean-Baptiste Nini

1769 · Medallion: cast terracotta (terre de Chaumont); frame: gilt wood · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

In a technique of his own invention, Nini refined the local clay through a process of elutriation and used it to cast his medallions from finely engraved copper molds. The sitter was Queen of Hungary and Empress of the Holy Roman Empire (reigned 1740–1780).

Artist

Jean-Baptiste Nini

Date

1769

Medium

Medallion: cast terracotta (terre de Chaumont); frame: gilt wood

Culture

French, Chaumont-sur-Loire

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of James Hazen Hyde, 1952