Abraham de Moivre (1667–1754) 1741

This bronze portrait medal of Abraham de Moivre was created by Jacques-Antoine Dassier. The artist employs a circular format with a profile of the mathematician, surrounded by inscribed text. Dassier uses the medium of bronze to create a tactile interplay of light and shadow. The portrait is rendered in high relief which captures the intricate details of De Moivre’s features and wig. The formal composition of the medal directs our attention to the profile, inviting contemplation of the sitter's intellectual character. The use of bronze, with its historical associations to classical portraiture, imbues the image with a sense of timelessness. Dassier’s deliberate choice of form elevates the subject, while the circular boundary imposes constraints that highlight the relationship between individual identity and broader cultural recognition. The medal becomes not just a likeness, but also a marker of De Moivre’s place within the evolving discourses of science and enlightenment.