Summary

Australia Victoria Melbourne
Medal - Paris Exposition Universelle Internationale Gold Prize 1878 (AD)
Mint: Paris
Awarded to: E.W. Pitts
Artist: J.C. Chaplain
Other Details: Paris Exposition Universelle Internationale Gold Prize medal designed by Jules-Clement Chaplain. This medal marks the emergence of Art Nouveau design in medals. Chaplain retained the basic neo-classical themes - including Victory bearing a wreath - but his depiction is rich with movement and his composition emerges from the background in flowing lines. Chaplain was one of the most significant of a group of Parisian medallists who adapted their designs to make maximum use of new reduction technology, placing Paris again at the centre of the medallic world. In 1877 he was named the official medallist of the French government; in 1878 he was named a chevalier of the Legion of Honor; and in 1881 was given the seat at the Académie des Beaux Arts. He was responsible for the official portraits of every president of the French Republic from Edme Patrice Mac-Mahon in 1877 to Émile Loubet in 1899. He was commissioned to engrave the gold coinage of France; his gold medal commemorating the visit of Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandra of Russia to Paris in 1896 was thought to be one of the finest ever struck.

Physical Description

A large gold medal, 50 mm diameter)featuring a laureate bust of France and Victory flying above the Exhibition grounds with trumpet and wreath; the winner's name is carried above its head by a young winged figure.

Obverse Description

Laureate bust of France facing left, around, REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE and in small letters J.C. CHAPLAIN.

Reverse Description

Victory flying above the Exhibition grounds with trumpet and wreath; the winner's name is carried above its head by a young winged figure; around, EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE INTERNATIONALE DE 1878 in exergue, PARIS; on plaque, E.W. PITTS and in small letters CHAPLAIN

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

This medal marks the emergence of Art Nouveau design in medals. Chaplain retained the basic neo-classical themes - including Victory bearing a wreath - but his depiction is rich with movement and his composition emerges from the background in flowing lines. Chaplain was one of the most significant of a group of Parisian medallists who adapted their designs to make maximum use of new reduction technology, placing Paris again at the centre of the medallic world. In 1877 he was named the official medallist of the French government; in 1878 he was named a chevalier of the Legion of Honor; and in 1881 was given the seat at the Académie des Beaux Arts. He was responsible for the official portraits of every president of the French Republic from Edme Patrice Mac-Mahon in 1877 to Émile Loubet in 1899. He was commissioned to engrave the gold coinage of France; his gold medal commemorating the visit of Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandra of Russia to Paris in 1896 was thought to be one of the finest ever struck. -Shaples, J., 1990. Medals as Art: Australia and the Meszaros Tradition, p.18; David and Constance Yates, New York, 1997 web site http://www.dcyates.com/medals/article.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 6/1/2004.

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