Inscription [reverse] 1815

This copper Inscription, created by George Mills, features a central inscription surrounded by names, all encircled by a wreath. The wreath—a motif stretching back to ancient Greece—symbolizes victory, honor, and cyclical renewal. Think of laurel wreaths crowning heroes, their leaves embodying triumph and enduring legacy. The names, meticulously inscribed, echo similar lists found on Roman monuments. These lists are a potent method of immortalizing individuals, freezing them in collective memory. The names, much like those etched onto war memorials, serve as a reminder of human presence through time. They resonate with an emotional weight that transcends mere data; rather they speak to a primal need to be remembered. The cyclical nature of the wreath combined with these names thus creates a complex visual symbol. It blends both the personal and the eternal. The circular nature of the artwork also signifies an ongoing process of remembering and reinterpreting the past.