Arctic

Erwin Springweiler, Arctic, 1941, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1972.167.27
Copied Erwin Springweiler, Arctic, 1941, bronze, 2 78 in. (7.3 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, 1972.167.27

Artwork Details

Title
Arctic
Commissioner
Society of Medallic Arts
Founder
Medallic Art Company
Date
1941
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 78 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
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — bear
  • Animal — bird — penguin
Object Number
1972.167.27

Artwork Description

Erwin Springweiler's medal honors explorers of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Nathaniel Palmer, for whom the Palmer Research Station is named, was a Connecticut sealer who first sighted Antarctica in 1820. Charles Wilkes, for whom Wilkes Island is named, explored the Antarctic in the 1860s. Adolphus Greely commanded an expedition to establish meteorological stations in the Arctic and in 1886 published an account of the voyage---in which he and his men nearly perished---titled Three Years of Arctic Service. In 1908, Robert Edwin Peary was the first human to reach the North Pole. John Bartlett and his nephew Robert, who are named on this medal, captained ships for Peary's expeditions. In 1925, Richard Evelyn Byrd was the first man to fly over the North Pole. And Lincoln Ellsworth was a wealthy explorer who flew airplanes and dirigibles over the North and South poles on several expeditions.