C'.harU-s Louis. I \v also dcsi<j;ncd the [jorlraits of 

 Elisa and Felix Bacciocchi of Lucca althuunh the dies 

 for the actual coinage were cut by Domenico BcntelU. 

 Most of Luigi's works arc signed with l.s.k., s.f., or 

 s & L in monogram, and some are unsigned. (The 

 dies signed only with an s arc attributed to Carlo 

 Siries, his .son.) 



The coin dies in the first jiart of Luigi's activity 

 show little artistic quality although they mark a 

 positive progress in comparison with his grandfather's 

 work. The esthetic effect of his early engravings is 

 achieved by an intricate arrangement of hair locks 

 and draperies, while the artistic finesse of portraiture 

 is completely neglected. '" In later years the depth 



Fig. 20. — Tuscany, Louis 1 as Ki.ni; oi Lim ria, 



francescone, 1803 *' 



(Div. of Xuinismatics pholo) 



of the relief gained considerably, and the simplicity 

 of design and inscription added other salient qualities 

 to his work. The francescone of Lotiis I (fig. 20) can 

 be considered one of his better creations although the 

 portrait remains barren of any spiritual expression. 

 The succeeding coinage of Charles Louis and his 

 mother ALiria Loui.se is evidence that in later years 

 Siries' talent did not improve. The apparently attrac- 

 ti\e 10-lire piece or dena of the Regent and her son 

 (fig. 21 ) shows, on closer study, only modest c|ualities 



Fis 



21. — Tuscan V, Charles Louis and Marie Louise, 

 dcna or 10 lire. 1803 " 

 (Div. of Numismatics photo) 



of portraiture. Although the balance between the 

 figures and the surrounding inscription is much better 

 resolved than it is on the overcrowded francescone of 

 1806 with its separated busts (fig. 22), the portraits 



Fig. 22. — Tuscany, Charles Louis and Marie Louise, 



francescone, 1806 *^ 



(Div. of Xumismatics pholo) 



^o Sec CXI, vol. 12, pis. 30, 31, and Davi nport, European 

 Crowns, coin 1 56. 



*' CA7, vol. 12, p. 4.S4, coin 12var.; Galeotti, Le monete di 

 'I oscana, p. 436, coin .S; I)a\kni>ort, F.urnpcan Crowns, coin 151. 



" C.\'I, p. 455, coin 2; Galeotti, pp. 441, 44~, coin 1; 

 Davenport, European Crowns, coin 152. 



« CM, vol. 12, p. 458, coin 22; GALEorri, p. 447, coin 5; 

 Davenport, European Crowns, coin 1 55. 



12 



BLLLKTIN 229: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM 1 HE Ml SEl'M OF HI.STORV .^ND TECHNOLOGY 



