Margaret of Parma was the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Charles V and Joanna van der Gheynst, and Governor-General of the Netherlands from 1559 to 1567. Her return to this position in 1580 failed due to the opposition of her own son Alexander Farnese. After a career full of disappointment, victimised by her merciless family and political upheavals, she died lonely and outcast.

This medal, which occupies a special place in Jonghelinck's work, is mentioned in a letter from Antwerp dated 7 July 1567, announcing the dispatch of the first two copies to the Pope and to Cardinal Alexander Farnese, his brother-in-law. This gives us an idea of the people for whom such medals were intended. Captain Francesco Marchi, attaché of Margaret of Parma, who took credit for the composition of the reverse, wrote that Jonghelinck had reproduced the governess's features so well ‘that no one has ever portrayed her more naturally’.

The quality of the portrait reveals a work done on the spot and a great familiarity with the subject. At the height of his career, the artist has put all his skill into the meticulous execution of the medal. The official nature of a commission from the Governor General, one of his most important patrons, must have strengthened his inspiration.

As usual, the execution of the portrait prevails over the somewhat heavy composition of a mannerist reverse, even though Jonghelinck displayed a veritable fireworks display of his repertoire. The sword symbolises armed resistance to rebellion and heresy; the olive branches the restoration of peace; the palm tree the victory; the rock an unshakable Margaret of Parma; the four children's heads the raging winds, the spirit of evil and revolt; the churches the faith; the frail boat battered by the waves the leadership of the state in the midst of danger.

This medal is currently on loan from the MNAHA in Oudenaarde – the birthplace of Margaret of Parma – as part of the exhibition ‘Marguerite. La fille de l’empereur entre pouvoir et image’ from 21.09.2024 to 05.01.2025 at the MOU - Museum Oudenaarde (Oudenaarde).

Text | CC BY-NC | François Reinert