Orpheus 1891

This small medal, depicting Orpheus, was created by Louis Eugêne Mouchon sometime between the mid-19th and early 20th century. It's made of bronze, a common material for this kind of object. Consider the process of its creation. Molten bronze would have been cast in a mold, and then carefully worked with chasing tools to create the image of Orpheus charming the animals with his lyre. This highly skilled, labor-intensive work is so finely done, it allows the story of Orpheus to come alive on such a small scale. The medal reflects the tradition of fine art, and the high level of skill to produce this level of detail. But it also speaks to a larger world of industry, labor, and the production of multiples, where refined skills were applied to more accessible objects. Appreciating this medal reminds us that even small-scale works can reflect larger forces.