This week we are highlighting an exceptional bronze medal honouring Rene d'Anjou & Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine, designed by Ferdinand de Saint-Urbain (1685-1738), sculptor and medallist from Nancy, France, who produced for many royal European courts. This piece was created as part of his celebrated Dukes & Duchesses of Lorraine series, ca.1704.
Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine was suo jure Duchess of Lorraine, from 25 January 1431 until her death in 1453. She was also Queen of Naples by marriage to René d'Anjou. She also ruled the Kingdom of Naples and her husband's domains in France as regent during his imprisonment in Burgundy in 1435-1438.
Rene d'Anjou was Duke of Anjou and Count of Provence from 1434 to 1480, who also reigned as King of Naples as René I from 1435 to 1442 (then deposed as the preceding dynasty was restored to power). Having spent his last years in Aix-en-Provence, he is known in France as the "Good King René." He was a member of the House of Valois-Anjou, a cadet branch of the French royal house, and the great-grandson of John II of France. He was a prince of the blood, and for most of his adult life also the brother-in-law of the reigning king Charles VII of France. Other than the aforementioned titles, he was for several years also Duke of Bar and Duke of Lorraine.
