John Barton Payne Award, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, reverse

Paul Manship, John Barton Payne Award, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, reverse, 1933, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.117
Copied Paul Manship, John Barton Payne Award, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, reverse, 1933, bronze, 7 1⁄2 in. (19.1 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.117

Artwork Details

Title
John Barton Payne Award, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, reverse
Artist
Date
1933
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
7 1⁄2 in. (19.1 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Allegory — place — Virginia
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • Figure group — male
Object Number
1966.47.117
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.117

Artwork Description

Judge John Barton Payne (1855-1935) served in Woodrow Wilson’s government during World War I, was secretary of the Interior from 1920 to 1921, and served from 1921 to 1935 as president of the American Red Cross. His gifts of paintings and funds to the Commonwealth of Virginia led to the establishment of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 1932. The Payne medal, designed by Paul Manship, accompanies a purchase award that has been given to such notable American artists as Stuart Davis. On the reverse, the Roman god Virtus stands over a fallen despot. The Latin motto, which reads “Thus Ever To Tyrants,” appears on Virginia’s great seal.