Albert Gallatin Portrait Medal

Copied Paul Manship, Albert Gallatin Portrait Medal, 1955, bronze, 3 34 in. (9.6 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.133

Artwork Details

Title
Albert Gallatin Portrait Medal
Artist
Date
1955
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 34 in. (9.6 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — art — painter
  • Occupation — political — statesman
  • Portrait male — Gallatin, Albert — head
Object Number
1966.47.133

Artwork Description

American collector, painter, and critic Albert Gallatin (1881-1952) founded the Gallery of Living Art at New York University in 1927, and nine years later he renamed his institution the Museum of Living Art. The Gallery of Living Art was one of the first in America to display works by contemporary European artists such as Pablo Picasso and Fernand Léger. In 1937, Gallatin became a member of the American Abstract Artists Group, which encouraged American artists to “break the rules” as European modernists had done. On the reverse of this medal the inscription “from his friend Paul Manship/March 1955” reflects the tradition of artists dedicating works to one another out of friendship and professional respect.