Artwork Details
- Title
- This Above All to Thine Own Self Be True
- Artist
- Commissioner
- Society of Medallic Arts
- Founder
- Medallic Art Company
- Date
- 1954
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 2 7⁄8 in. (7.3 cm) diam.
- Credit Line
- Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- bronze
- Keywords
- Figure — fragment — hand
- Figure female — nude
- Animal — horse
- Object — tool
- Object Number
- 1972.167.45
Artwork Description
The mythological figures on the obverse and sculpting and drafting tools on the reverse signal the classical traditions that lie behind American medallic art. The purpose of Abram Belskie’s medal is not known, but the title, a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, suggests that this medal was commissioned to honor artistic achievement and to encourage artists to follow their own creative impulses.