Medal of the Marquis de Lafayette 1824

Editor: Here we have François Augustin Caunois’ bronze "Medal of the Marquis de Lafayette" from 1824. It feels almost like a coin, and it's interesting to see a portrait in such a functional form. What catches your eye about it? Curator: What intrigues me is the means of its production, particularly in relation to its purpose. Bronze casting at this time, especially for something intended for wide circulation, represents a specific technological and economic framework. The metal itself, bronze, speaks of industry, trade, and even military strength, which were clearly tied to Lafayette’s reputation. Why choose this material, over something more precious, or more easily reproducible? Editor: That's a good point. So, the choice of bronze isn’t just aesthetic, but tied to the industrial and economic realities of the time, plus what bronze as a material represented. Do you think this material suggests it may have been circulated beyond an elite group? Curator: Precisely! Consider how this medal might have functioned. Was it meant to be worn, displayed, or traded? Who were the likely consumers of this object, and what kind of labor was involved in producing multiples? Was the artist managing production himself or part of a larger workshop? The social context of consumption really dictates the significance of the material. Editor: I never thought about the production side so much. I was so focused on Lafayette, but the bronze itself tells a story about industry, accessibility, and perhaps even a subtle message about power. Curator: Exactly! It’s about digging into those layers. And by doing so, we reveal narratives beyond the mere representation of Lafayette. What do we make of accessibility, or the intent of commemoration in revolutionary times? These were intentionally material choices, far removed from the personal commission of say, marble or gold. Editor: I'll definitely be looking at materials with new eyes from now on. This shifts my perspective entirely!