Reverse
Ceremony of nobles, presumably within the Queen's chambers, as she awards medals of Order; above, the allegory Fame trumpets his horn, while cherubs tend to a smoking urn behind the ceremony
Script: Latin
Comment
Struck at the Mexico City Mint, and commissioned by Dona Maria Guadalupe de Moncada y Berrio, this medal type was issued to commemorate the founding of the Spanish Royal Order of Noble Ladies of the Queen, a group of upper-class women led by Queen Maria Luisa, wife of King Charles IV. Seen as a morale booster for war-weary Spain, woman of this "club", would organize and participate in civic events and serve as community leaders. While the order lasted until 1931, and its historic significance is documented, perhaps the most impressive relic of their existence happens to be this medal. More art than medallic, today it is seen as one of Gil's most endearing works, fully showcasing his mastery of the art of engraving. On the obverse, Maria Luisa is displayed in incredibly fine style, her portrait rising in cameoed prominence (on the gold strike) from the surfaces, with stunning dimensionality in her hair curls, sash and bow; this would be the first and last time that the Queen would be featured alone in medallic works of Mexico. The reverse design however is what makes this medal a classic! In the centers, Gil replicates a ceremony of nobles, presumably within the Queen's chambers, as she awards medals of Order; above, the allegory Fame trumpets his horn, while cherubs tend to a smoking urn behind the ceremony.
