Defense of Verdun Medal (alternative unused design)

Paul Manship, Defense of Verdun Medal (alternative unused design), 1920, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.90
Paul Manship, Defense of Verdun Medal (alternative unused design), 1920, bronze, 4 in. (10.3 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.90

Artwork Details

Title
Defense of Verdun Medal (alternative unused design)
Artist
Date
1920
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
4 in. (10.3 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture — vehicle — airplane
  • Figure female — full length
  • History — France — World War I
  • Landscape — France — Verdun
  • Object — weapon — sword
  • Architecture Exterior — castle
Object Number
1965.16.90
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1965.16.90

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. Imagery on the obverse associates the city’s medieval history with the modern bombardment of World War I, symbolized by the airplanes circling overhead. On the reverse, an angel hovers over the city bearing the sword of righteousness and a sheaf of wheat symbolizing God’s judgment of the righteous and the wicked.

Works by this artist (9 items)

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David Butler, Untitled (Seven Headed Dragon), ca. 1968, paint on tin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2014.6.2
Untitled (Seven Headed Dragon)
Artist
Dateca. 1968
paint on tin
On view
David Butler, Untitled (Very Old Mermaid), ca. 1968, paint on tin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2014.6.1
Untitled (Very Old Mermaid)
Artist
Dateca. 1968
paint on tin
On view
David Butler, Untitled (Rooster), ca. 1970 - 1975, paint on tin with wood and mixed media, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Josh Feldstein, 2015.56.2
Untitled (Rooster)
Artist
Dateca. 1970 - 1975
paint on tin with wood and mixed media
On view
David Butler, Nativity, ca. 1968, paint on tin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2014.61.1
Nativity
Artist
Dateca. 1968
paint on tin
On view

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gelatin silver prints
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