Ford Motor Company Medal (reverse)

Media - 1966.110.12 - SAAM-1966.110.12_1 - 46623
Copied Anthony de Francisci, Ford Motor Company Medal (reverse), bronze, 2 12 in. (6.4 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate, 1966.110.12

Artwork Details

Title
Ford Motor Company Medal (reverse)
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 12 in. (6.4 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Gilda Slate
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Architecture — vehicle — automobile
  • Architecture — vehicle — airplane
  • Architecture — vehicle — truck
  • Architecture — machine — farm machine
  • Architecture Exterior — industry — factory
Object Number
1966.110.12

Artwork Description

Anthony de Francisci’s uniface artist’s strike, or sample, represents the reverse of the true medal. Henry Ford launched the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1903, and by 1928 his giant Rouge manufacturing complex, seen here, had become the most stupendous symbol of America’s technological power. De Francisci also included “portraits” of the Model T, the Model T truck, and the farm tractor, as well as Ford’s famous Trimotor airplane, first produced in 1926.