Vierge aux Deux Anges
Medal
1931 (made)
1931 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This uniface bronze medal was made by Henri Dropsy in France in 1931. Henri Dropsy (1885-1969) was one of the most influential French medallists of the first half of the twentieth century. He trained a generation of French medallists, directing the medal-engraving studio at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1930 until his retirement in 1955.
Designed in 1931, at the height of Dropsy's creativity, this uniface medal was edited in bronze and ceramic (Monnaie de Paris, 1964, no. 109 p. 58). Dropsy's sources of inspiration were varied and eclectic. The format of this medal of religious subject evokes Renaissance relief sculpture, while stylistically it shows Italo-Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements.
Designed in 1931, at the height of Dropsy's creativity, this uniface medal was edited in bronze and ceramic (Monnaie de Paris, 1964, no. 109 p. 58). Dropsy's sources of inspiration were varied and eclectic. The format of this medal of religious subject evokes Renaissance relief sculpture, while stylistically it shows Italo-Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Titles |
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Materials and techniques | Cast bronze. |
Brief description | Medal, cast bronze, Virgin and child with two angels, 'Vierge aux Deux Anges', by Henri Dropsy, France, 1931 |
Physical description | Uniface, circular bronze relief. The Virgin Mary is seated on a throne at the centre, holding the infant Jesus on her lap. Two angels resting on clouds are represented either side of them, clasping hands in a gesture of adoration. The surface of the relief shows a fine network of concentric circles radiating from the infant's groin area through to the edge. These lines might possibly have been left from a reducing machine: where these should have been erased once the casting was complete, Dropsy may have considered these added to the formal qualities of the object. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'H. DROPSY' (On the object's proper right, below the angel) |
Object history | Designed in 1931, at the height of Dropsy's creativity, this uniface medal was edited in bronze and ceramic (Monnaie de Paris, 1964, no. 109 p. 58). Dropsy's sources of inspiration were varied and eclectic. The format of this medal of religious subject evokes Renaissance relief sculpture, while stylistically it shows Italo-Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. This object was lot 38 at the postal auction MB54 at Simmons Gallery on 19 July 2011 and purchased for £220. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This uniface bronze medal was made by Henri Dropsy in France in 1931. Henri Dropsy (1885-1969) was one of the most influential French medallists of the first half of the twentieth century. He trained a generation of French medallists, directing the medal-engraving studio at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1930 until his retirement in 1955. Designed in 1931, at the height of Dropsy's creativity, this uniface medal was edited in bronze and ceramic (Monnaie de Paris, 1964, no. 109 p. 58). Dropsy's sources of inspiration were varied and eclectic. The format of this medal of religious subject evokes Renaissance relief sculpture, while stylistically it shows Italo-Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic elements. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.7-2011 |
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Record created | August 22, 2011 |
Record URL |
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