Nicolas Charles Oudinot, hertog van Reggio, marechal van Frankrijk, overwinnaar bij Zurich, Austerlitz, Friedland en Wagram 1809

Cast in bronze, this medallion by Jacques-Augustin Dieudonné immortalizes Nicolas Charles Oudinot, a Marshal of France, likely around the time of his military achievements. Note the wreath of laurel leaves encircling the inscriptions on the reverse. Laurel wreaths, symbols of victory and honor, were bestowed upon triumphant generals and athletes in ancient Greece and Rome, signaling supreme accomplishment. Consider how this classical motif resurfaces here, centuries later, adapted to celebrate Napoleonic military prowess. Throughout the Renaissance, artists like Botticelli would echo this classical symbol, adorning figures with laurel, signifying their virtuous and triumphant nature. The wreath, seemingly simple, is a potent carrier of cultural memory. Its cyclical form suggests not just victory, but the enduring nature of fame. In this medallion, it links Oudinot to a lineage of heroes, echoing through time. Such symbols tap into our collective subconscious, engaging viewers on a deep, emotional level, stirring feelings of admiration and national pride. The laurel's journey through art history is not linear; instead, it appears in an eternal return, each time imbued with new significance.