Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) c. 1834

Editor: Here we have a bronze medal of Marquis de Lafayette, there's no date of creation listed, and it was made by J. Bale. What do you see in this small portrait? Curator: I see a potent symbol of transatlantic revolutionary fervor. Consider Lafayette's role: a French aristocrat volunteering in the American Revolution, embodying ideals of liberty and equality. Editor: So the medal isn't just a portrait, but a statement? Curator: Precisely. Medals like these were often commissioned to celebrate or commemorate individuals and events, reinforcing specific narratives. How does seeing it this way change your perception? Editor: I guess it makes me think about who gets celebrated, and why. It's about power, isn't it? Curator: Absolutely. It forces us to confront the politics inherent in even seemingly innocuous objects. These medals can be used to promote or reinforce ideals of power or control. Editor: I never thought about medals having that kind of message. Thanks for pointing it out.