87 As an imperial prince Matthias (1557–1619) had been represented on portraits since child- hood. His parents commissioned his irst medal in 1568 from Antonio Abondio (Fig. 1). The eleven year old boy is depicted here together with his three younger brothers. This medal was supposed to demonstrate the dynasty’s provi- sion of male heirs (the medal maker was unable to portray his elder brothers Rudolf and Ernest because they were being raised and educated in Spain, and sisters are not included). The boys are not yet wearing armour, which would have indicated their independent military service, nevertheless they would have been treated as adults: when they travelled with their parents to an imperial assembly in 1570, the city of Nuremberg considered it appropriate to present each of them with an oficial gift. 1 Archduke Matthias chose as his motto „Amat victoria curam” [victory loves concern or victory loves him, who takes care] (Fig. 2). The verse comes from Catullus 62.16: An easy victory palm has not been furnished us, my friends, for look: the maidens search their memo- ries for things they have rehearsed. They don‘t rehearse in vain: they hold what is worth remembering; and this is no wonder, for they are deep at work with the whole of their minds. But with one thing we‘ve divided our minds, with another, divided our ears; hence, by law, we‘ll be defeated: victory loves concern.Therefore turn at least your minds around now;now they’ll begin to speak, and now we’ll be pressed to answer. Hymenaeus Hymen, come! O Hymen Hyme- naeus! TOMáš KlEiSNER AmAt victoriA curAm: The Device of ArchDuke MATThiAs on his MeDAls 1. Antonio Abondio, Archdukes Matthias, Maxmilian, Albrecht and Wenceslas, 1568 (Národní muzeum v Praze)