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Paul Manship, Charles A. Platt Portrait Medal, 1918, bronze, 3 3⁄4 in. (9.6 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.99
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Charles A. Platt Portrait Medal
- Artist
- Date
- 1918
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 3 3⁄4 in. (9.6 cm) diam.
- Credit Line
- Gift of the artist
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- bronze
- Subjects
- Occupation — art — painter
- Object — art tool — calipers
- Portrait male — Platt, Charles A. — bust
- Occupation — art — architect
- Figure male — child — full length
- Occupation — art — printmaker
- Object Number
- 1965.16.99
Artwork Description
Charles Adams Platt (1861-1933) designed many museum buildings, including the Smithsonian Institution's Freer Gallery of Art, which was commissioned in 1913 and opened to the public ten years later. Both Platt and Paul Manship, who created this medal, were participants in the famous artists' colony at Cornish, New Hampshire. The classical tempietto (little temple) and calipers on the reverse symbolize Platt's profession as an architect. The Latin motto translates as "toil and fidelity" and appears on the coats of arms of many European families.