Commemorating the Tercentenary of Trinity College, Dublin in 1892 1892

This commemorative medal, made by Edmond Johnson in 1892, is cast in bronze. Bronze has long been associated with commemorative objects precisely because of its durability and ability to capture fine detail. The medal celebrates the 300th anniversary of Trinity College Dublin, and features conjoined profiles of Queen Elizabeth I, who founded the college, and Queen Victoria, who reigned during the tercentenary. Notice how the linear quality of the relief has been achieved. Johnson likely used a reduction engine, a mechanical device for scaling down a larger clay model to the size of the final coin. The work is representative of a time when industrialization touched all aspects of life, including commemorative medals. Bronze casting allowed for the relatively quick production of large numbers of identical objects, making it possible to widely distribute this token of national and institutional pride. The crispness of the lines and the uniform tone of the bronze speak to the efficiencies of industrial production, yet the skilled hand of the artist is evident in the careful modeling of the two queens' profiles.