Medal
1917
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal, by René Grégoire (1871-1945) is a portrait of the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). The medal, which was struck in 1917, is presumably a posthumous memorial to Rodin, whose large-scale figures in bronze radically changed the direction of twentieth-century sculpture.
Grégoire, a native of Saumur, France, studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He worked under the sculptors Ernest-Henri Dubois and Gabriel-Jules Thomas, and was influenced in a modernist direction by Rodin himself. In 1899 he was awarded the Prix de Rome; enabling him to study for several years in that city. Upon returning to Paris around 1906-07, he commenced his practice as a sculptor, medallist and designer of commemorative stamps. In addition to his posthumous portrait of Rodin, his other notable works include a portrait medal of President Woodrow Wilson (ca. 1918). In 1924 he was elevated to the legion d’honneur.
Grégoire, a native of Saumur, France, studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He worked under the sculptors Ernest-Henri Dubois and Gabriel-Jules Thomas, and was influenced in a modernist direction by Rodin himself. In 1899 he was awarded the Prix de Rome; enabling him to study for several years in that city. Upon returning to Paris around 1906-07, he commenced his practice as a sculptor, medallist and designer of commemorative stamps. In addition to his posthumous portrait of Rodin, his other notable works include a portrait medal of President Woodrow Wilson (ca. 1918). In 1924 he was elevated to the legion d’honneur.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Bronze medal, portrait of Auguste Rodin by his pupil Rene Gregoire, ca. 1917 |
| Physical description | Obverse: a portrait of Auguste Rodin in his later years, bearded, in demi-profile. Reverse: an inscription. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Marks and inscriptions | "J'AI FAIT DE/MON MIEUX/JE N'AI JAMAIS/MENTI RODIN/MDCCCXI - MCMXVII" (The dates refer to Rodin's date of birth and death; however the date of birth (MDCCCXI) is incorrect, and should read MDCCCXL (1840).)
|
| Credit line | Given by David and Constance Yates |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This medal, by René Grégoire (1871-1945) is a portrait of the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). The medal, which was struck in 1917, is presumably a posthumous memorial to Rodin, whose large-scale figures in bronze radically changed the direction of twentieth-century sculpture. Grégoire, a native of Saumur, France, studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He worked under the sculptors Ernest-Henri Dubois and Gabriel-Jules Thomas, and was influenced in a modernist direction by Rodin himself. In 1899 he was awarded the Prix de Rome; enabling him to study for several years in that city. Upon returning to Paris around 1906-07, he commenced his practice as a sculptor, medallist and designer of commemorative stamps. In addition to his posthumous portrait of Rodin, his other notable works include a portrait medal of President Woodrow Wilson (ca. 1918). In 1924 he was elevated to the legion d’honneur. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.2-2014 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | April 30, 2014 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
