The very long tradition of medals commissioned by the Este family for celebratory and propagandistic purposes ends with this last object, commissioned by Francesco V on the occasion of the ceremony for the disbanding of the Este Brigade on 24 September 1863 in Cartigliano, a village near Bassano. The loyalty shown by the army remains a unique example in Italy of devotion and attachment to one’s Sovereign. In fact, the Estense Brigade, consisting of around 3200 soldiers, spontaneously followed the Archduke during his four years of exile. With all hope of returning to Modena gone, Francesco wished to honour the loyalty of his army and to show his gratitude to them through the gift of this medal distributed to the Noble Guards of Honour, officers, non-commissioned officers and simple soldiers and also known as the ’emigration medal’.
On the recto of the medal, the profile of Francesco V facing to the right is depicted centrally, the representation is interrupted at neck level and behind the nape of the neck in smaller letters is the author’s signature ‘RADNITZKY R’. Within a frame there is the inscription ‘FRANCISCUS – V – AUSTR(IAE): ATESTINUS – DUX – MUTINAE’ aimed at identifying the effigy. Francesco V is depicted with short hair and a moustache, the hair is particularly detailed.
On the verso within two intertwined oak branches is the dedication composed of the words “FIDELITATI / ET / CONSTANTIAE / IN / ADVERSIS / MDCCCLXIII” (fidelity and steadfastness shown in adversity).
The medal was minted in Vienna and designed by Karl Radnitzky.
