Cities Medals - GENOA. Clelia Grillo Borromeo (1684–1777) Medals...

GENOA. Clelia Grillo Borromeo (1684–1777) 1753 Medal “Gloria Genvensivm,” an allegory of Minerva extending her hand to the personification of the city of Genoa—Work by an anonymous Genoese sculptor—Rare casting—AE (258 g - Ø 92.5 mm) "The work depicts the Genoese noblewoman Clelia Grillo, who married Count Benedetto Borromeo on March 8, 1707. A learned and unconventional woman, she founded a cultural salon in her Milanese residence called the ‘Accademia Cloelia Vigilantium.’ Her unconventional behavior brought her into conflict with the Borromeo family, and her anti-Austrian stance led to reprisals and measures such as exile ordered by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, which was revoked only in 1749. Upon her return to Milan, she was greeted by a jubilant crowd of supporters and friends who, in her honor, had a commemorative medal struck featuring her likeness on one side and Minerva extending her hand toward Genoa with the motto “Gloria Genuensium” on the other. After reopening her Milanese salon, she experienced various ups and downs in the final years of her life due to her health and her eccentric lifestyle; for example, she was very passionate about gambling, which led her to incur substantial debts. Clelia Grillo died in Milan in August 1777."