This medal is of exceptional quality and it is an outstanding example of court portraiture in miniature. The Latin inscription on the medal states ‘Francesco IV, by the grace of God, fifth Duke of Mantua, third Duke of Monferrat, the first year of his reign, aged 26’. It was made to celebrate his accession in February 1612. In the December that year Francesco died of smallpox. Dupré was probably summoned from France to Italy to make this medal, and patronising Dupré suggests the high status of the Gonzaga family, as he was considered the greatest of all the French medallists.