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Albert Laessle, America/Abundance, 1934, bronze, 1⁄4 x 2 7⁄8 in. (0.6 x 7.4 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1971.121
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Artwork Details
- Title
- America/Abundance
- Artist
- Commissioner
- Society of Medallic Arts
- Founder
- Medallic Art Company
- Date
- 1934
- Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 1⁄4 x 2 7⁄8 in. (0.6 x 7.4 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
- Animal — bird — turkey
- Allegory — quality — wealth
- Allegory — place — America
- Object — vegetable — corn
- Object Number
- 1971.121
Artwork Description
For the obverse of this medal, Albert Laessle selected a turkey, which Benjamin Franklin once proposed as the national bird, to symbolize America. The sculptor also explained that the ear of corn was “triumphant, rhythmic with the pulse of life. It symbolizes true wealth.” This was the tenth medal issued by the Society of Medalists and was commissioned when the nation was struggling with the Great Depression and years of drought. Laessle’s medal is one of many images in the 1930s that encouraged Americans to look beyond their hardships to a better future.