Paul Manship, Defense of Verdun Medal, 1920, bronze, 4 in. (10.2 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.89
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Defense of Verdun Medal
- Artist
- Date
- 1920
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 4 in. (10.2 cm) diam.
- Credit Line
- Gift of the artist
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- bronze
- Subjects
- Occupation — military — soldier
- Allegory — place — France
- History — France — World War I
- Architecture Exterior — castle
- Object — weapon — gun
- Object Number
- 1965.16.89
Artwork Description
Congress authorized a special gold medal honoring the sacrifice of the citizens of the French city of Verdun during World War I. The Commission of Fine Arts held a limited competition for medal designs in early 1920, and this medal is one of Paul Manship’s proposed designs. On the obverse, a female figure holds a shield inscribed with the initials of the Republic of France; on the reverse, a French and an American soldier cross bayonets before the city’s walls. Below, the motto reads “They Shall Not Pass.”