Today's featured item on our online shop is this historic 1811 France, Napoleon I, Birth of the King of Rome, Silver Medal. This small medal (please see images for scale) is in very fine condition with dark grey and blue toning. The medal was designed by French engraver Bertrand Andrieu (1761-1822) and French sculptor, engraver, and medallist André Vauthier-Galle (1761-1844) to commemorate the birth of Napoleon's only legitimate child, his son Napoleon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte (1811-1832), also known as the King of Rome, Napoleon II, or the Duke of Reichstadt. Although Napoleon II never actually ruled France, he was briefly the titular Emperor of the French after the second fall of his father. He lived most of his life in Vienna and died young of tuberculosis at the age of 21 at Schönbrunn Palace on July 22, 1832. He was posthumously given the nickname L'Aiglon ("the Eaglet") after the popular Edmond Rostand play, L'Aiglon.
French engraver, Bertrand Andrieu is credited with reviving the arts in France, following its decline after the time of Louis XIV. During the last twenty years of his life, the French government commissioned him to undertake every major work of importance.
Obverse: Laurated head of Napoleon and diademed head of Marie-Louise right, ANDRIEU F. below.
Reverse: Bust of infant King to left, GALLE on truncation, XX MARS MDCCCXI. Below, around NAPOLEON F.J.C. ROI DE ROME.
