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Celebration of Dawn of Christianity

Medal
1903 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This medal celebrates the dawn of Christianity and is made by Georges Dupré, in France in ca. 1903.
George Dupré is a descendant of the medallist Guillaume Dupré. The medal was exhibited with others by Georges Dupré at the International Exhibition, Brussels, 1910.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCelebration of Dawn of Christianity (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Silver, cast
Brief description
Medal, Celebration of the Dawn of Christianity, silver, by Georges Dupré, French, 20th century, 1903.
Physical description
Obverse: Scene depicts the rise of Christianity from the ruins of the pagan world. A radiant infant Christ, with open arms is held aloft by a classically draped mother figure for a semi-naked kneeling man to adore. Shown in a landscape with a pagan altar to the left and grazing sheep to the right where a lamb is being succoured. Signed.
Reverse: A youth (St John the Baptist) half-draped in animal skins contemplates a crucifix which he holds in both hands. An open book, (the Bible?) rests on the remains of a ruin over which ivy grows and on which appears an inscription. In the background a landscape setting with ruins of classical temples and distant mountains. Signed.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 7.29cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'G. DUPRE' (obverse)
  • 'O CRUX AVE SPES UNICA' (reverse)
Object history
Given by Professor J. Hull Grundy and Mrs. Ann Hull Grundy, in 1980.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This medal celebrates the dawn of Christianity and is made by Georges Dupré, in France in ca. 1903.
George Dupré is a descendant of the medallist Guillaume Dupré. The medal was exhibited with others by Georges Dupré at the International Exhibition, Brussels, 1910.
Bibliographic references
  • Forrer, L. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, I, London, 1904, pp. 652-653 and Vol VII, p. 239
  • Simmons & Simmons, Medals, Catalogue No 10, Entry 445, London, Summer 1995
Collection
Accession number
A.2-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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