St. Paul Institute Medal

Copied Paul Manship, St. Paul Institute Medal, 1916, bronze, 2 18 in (5.4 cm.) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.58

Artwork Details

Title
St. Paul Institute Medal
Artist
Founder
Medallic Art Company
Date
1916
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 18 in (5.4 cm.) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Figure female — nude
  • Figure female — full length
  • Mythology — classical — muse
  • Mythology — classical — victory
  • Object — musical instrument — lyre
Object Number
1965.16.58

Artwork Description

Paul Manship studied at the St. Paul Institute of Arts in Minnesota from 1892 to 1903. On the obverse of this medal a partially draped nude holding a lyre represents the creative Muse that leads the artist to acclaim; she holds a figure of Victory in her right hand. Manship explained that the Pegasus rising from the globe on the reverse suggested “the flight of Fancy, and its vehicle of transport to the Higher Realms.”