Untitled 1784

Augustin Dupré designed this bronze medal, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, celebrating Benjamin Franklin. The circular form encloses a relief portrait of Franklin, set against a smooth, uncluttered background. The composition emphasizes the profile, carefully rendered to capture Franklin’s features. The inscription is structured around the perimeter and it punctuates the edge and directs the viewer's eye in a continuous loop, framing the central image. The choice of bronze lends the piece a sense of gravitas, but more importantly, permanence. The scale invites close examination, rewarding viewers with an appreciation for the fine detail. Dupré’s formal decisions elevate this token into a symbol of enduring legacy. Its tactile qualities and the interplay between text and image reinforce a sense of historical weight. This is not merely a commemorative object; it's a carefully structured embodiment of memory.