London Royal Society of Arts Medal 1790

The London Royal Society of Arts Medal was created in 1758 by Thomas Pingo, a medalist of Italian origin who lived in London. Commissioned by the Royal Society of Arts, the medal embodies the Society’s mission to promote arts, manufactures, and commerce in Britain. The three female figures are allegorical representations of the arts, commerce and manufacture, common in European art since the Renaissance. The fact that these concepts are represented by women speaks to the gendering of labor and value in the 18th century, a period deeply shaped by mercantilism and colonialism. Commerce is positioned as the crowning achievement of British enterprise. She is seated, holding a shield bearing the Union Jack and an oar. Meanwhile, the other figures seem to offer her symbolic gifts. The medal invites us to reflect on how artistic and industrial achievements are always intertwined with political and economic power, influencing national identity and global trade. It is not just a historical artifact; it's a lens through which we can examine the ongoing dialogues between art, labor, and national ambition.