Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (obverse)

Anthony de Francisci, Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (obverse), 1927, cast lead, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.51
Copied Anthony de Francisci, Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (obverse), 1927, cast lead, 2 1⁄2 in. (6.4 cm) diam. octagonal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci, 1966.51.51

Artwork Details

Title
Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (obverse)
Artist
Date
1927
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 1⁄2 in. (6.4 cm) diam. octagonal
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci
Mediums
Mediums Description
cast lead
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure female — full length
  • Landscape — celestial — sun
  • Allegory — arts and sciences — chemistry
  • Allegory — arts and sciences — industry
Object Number
1966.51.51
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.51.51

Artwork Description

This medal appears to show the obverse of the Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (see 1966.51.52). Henry Chandlee Turner created the Turner Construction Company in 1902. He was interested in experimenting with the possibilities of reinforced concrete and was president of the American Concrete Institute during the early 1920s. Anthony de Francisci’s artist’s sample shows one of two proposed designs for the obverse of the medal (see also 1966.51.63). The buildings behind the allegorical figure represent the cityscape made possible through innovations in concrete technology, which is symbolized by the giant cement mixer to the figure’s left.