Peace

Albert Stewart, Peace, 1936, 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, 1972.167.20
Copied Albert Stewart, Peace, 1936, 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, 1972.167.20

Artwork Details

Title
Peace
Commissioner
Society of Medallic Arts
Founder
Medallic Art Company
Date
1936
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
  • Figure male — full length
  • Fantasy — winged being
  • Landscape — cemetery
  • Architecture — machine — farm machine
  • Occupation — farm — farmer
  • Allegory — civic — peace
Object Number
1972.167.20

Artwork Description

Research has not revealed the purpose of Albert Stewart’s medal, but the details offer clues. On the obverse, a stylized figure of Peace carries an olive branch high above a mountainous country. On the reverse, a man turns from his plow---which evokes the biblical proverb of turning swords into plowshares---to look back at a field of crosses marking the war dead. An inscription on the reverse appears to refer to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The war drew sympathizers from many nations into the International Brigades, military units of volunteers from different countries who fought for democratic government in Spain. A number of American artists were vocal supporters of the Republicans, who fought against General Francisco Franco’s royalist forces.