Medal of John Quincy Adams 1825

This bronze medal of John Quincy Adams was crafted in 1826 by Moritz Fürst, an Austrian-American medalist, during Adams's presidency. The medal offers a glimpse into the visual language of power and commemoration in the early 19th century. The profile portrait, a classical allusion, presents Adams in a manner befitting a statesman, yet it also subtly reinforces the era's limited view of leadership. Notice how the medal’s inscription frames him, solidifying his place in history as a leader. The medal’s existence raises questions about how we choose to memorialize figures of authority, and what aspects of their legacies we emphasize. Think about what this medal leaves out. Whose stories are not told? While the medal immortalizes Adams, it also reflects the historical moment's biases and exclusions.