Pro Patria Medal (design for reverse)

Joseph E. Renier, Pro Patria Medal (design for reverse), 1941, lead, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier, 1967.93.64
Joseph E. Renier, Pro Patria Medal (design for reverse), 1941, lead, 3 38 in. (8.7 cm.) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier, 1967.93.64

Artwork Details

Title
Pro Patria Medal (design for reverse)
Date
1941
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 38 in. (8.7 cm.) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier
Mediums
Mediums Description
lead
Classifications
Subjects
  • Mythology — classical — Prometheus
  • Animal — bird — eagle
  • Figure male — full length
  • Figure male — nude
Object Number
1967.93.64

Artwork Description

Joseph Renier dedicated this medal “to all those who contribute their something to life, with the hope for the future, of the country and of humanity . . .” His words echo the Latin inscriptions meaning “For Country” and “For Humanity” that appear on the obverse and reverse of his design. On the reverse, the eagle devouring the body of Prometheus may be a reference to the German eagles displayed by the Nazi regime, which threatened the Western world when Renier designed this medal. The jagged edges mark this object as a “splasher,” in which the molten metal was stamped with die to gauge the sharpness of the image.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

William H. Johnson, Young Pastry Cook, ca. 1928-1930, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.693
Young Pastry Cook
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view
William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Man, ca. 1935-1938, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.814
Portrait of a Man
Dateca. 1935-1938
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Soldiers Training, ca. 1942, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.582
Soldiers Training
Dateca. 1942
oil on plywood
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Arnold Blanch, Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office), ca. 1937, tempera on illustration board, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the Internal Revenue Service through the General Services Administration
, 1962.8.28
Harvest Scene (mural study, Fredonia, New York Post Office)
Dateca. 1937
tempera on illustration board
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Seated Woman in Orange Print Dress, ca. 1939-1940, tempera on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.281
Seated Woman in Orange Print Dress
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera on paperboard
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Seated Female Nude with Gold Necklace and Auburn Hair, ca. 1939-1940, tempera on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.197
Seated Female Nude with Gold Necklace and Auburn Hair
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera on paperboard
Not on view