Student's Choice: Medallions
Not only are these medals remarkable for their craftsmanship and detail, but also for the historical scenes and stories they depict. For instance, one medallion portrays Johan and Cornelis de Witt, two Dutch politicians tortured, lynched, and allegedly partially eaten by a ravenous mob in 1672. Another depicts revolutionaries storming the Bastille in 1789, tearing down the French prison brick by brick. Famous faces can be seen, such as Napolean Bonaparte, John Paul Jones, Charles XII of Sweden, and the mythological Queen Dido of Carthage. These items remind of us of forgotten stories, like Beatrice Rovorella being lost at sea, Cosimo II de Medici being the patron of Galileo, and Queen Victoria introducing the Christmas tree to England. Other medals highlight the medalist's artistic capabilities, like Dalí's "Unicorne Dionysaique" and the reverse of Warin's portrait of Antoine de Ruze. One medallion, portraying Adam and Eve around the apple tree, is actually made of wood and demonstrates the creative process of numismatics. These medallions are quite impressive, in terms of artistic and historical significance.
Selections made by Jerret Barker, Public History Major, class of 2022, and DOMA Collections intern.
