Antonio Francesco Selvi
Antonio Francesco Selvi was an Italian metalworker and medallist active for more than six decades, documented in Florence from 1689 to 1750. His sustained output focused almost exclusively on numismatic portraiture, specifically the creation of commemorative medals often honoring powerful historical figures and members of the Medici dynasty.
Thirteen of Selvi’s metalworks are represented in museum collections, confirming his importance as a late Baroque or early 18th-century craftsman specializing in high-quality portraiture. His works are preserved in major American institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. These museum-quality metalworks typically feature intricate details and classical composition appropriate for the genre.
Selvi’s documented creations frequently revisited the lineage of Florentine rulers. Notable examples of his work include the medal depicting Cosimo I de' Medici 1519-74, Duke of Florence 1537-69, Grand Duke of Tuscany 1569-74. He also focused on earlier Renaissance figures, as seen in the Medal Depicting Caterina Sforza (1462–1509), the Medal Depicting Filippo de' Medici (died 1474), and two separate medals dedicated to notable family members, the Medal Depicting Giovanni de' Medici (1421–1463) and Medal Depicting Giovanni de' Medici (1467-1498). Due to the historical nature of his output, images of Antonio Francesco Selvi prints and medals are often available as public domain resources.
