Kultur Medal

Copied Paul Manship, Kultur Medal, 1918, bronze, 2 1⁄2 in. (6.4 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.124

Artwork Details

Title
Kultur Medal
Artist
Date
1918
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 1⁄2 in. (6.4 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — weapon — sword
  • Allegory — place — Belgium
  • State of being — death — murder
  • History — United States — World War I
  • Occupation — military — soldier
  • Figure male — bust
  • Figure — fragment — skull
  • Figure group
Object Number
1966.47.124

Artwork Description

Paul Manship created uncharacteristically grim images for the obverse and reverse of this medal, which memorializes Germany’s conquest of Belgium. “Kultur” was an idealization of German civilization, developed by the German state to justify acts of aggression under the imperial regime. On the obverse, Manship depicted a thick-necked kaiser wearing a “rosary” of skulls representing the nations he had defeated. On the reverse, a Teutonic soldier abducts a woman whose baby lies dead on the ground. This medal sold for ten dollars to help relief efforts during the First World War.