Amelioration of the Study of Latin in Public Schools 1774

Anton Franz Widemann created this silver medal, entitled "Amelioration of the Study of Latin in Public Schools," in 18th-century Germany. The medal offers a fascinating insight into the cultural values of the time, particularly the high regard for classical education. The profile of the woman is probably Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The inscription surrounding her portrait explicitly links her image to the improvement of Latin studies, an important part of the humanistic education that was seen as essential for elites at the time. As social historians of art, we can investigate these kinds of objects to understand the dynamics of power, education, and social status within a society. Researching archival documents, like school records and curricula from the period, alongside biographical information about figures like Maria Theresa, helps us understand better the values that were being promoted and the institutional forces shaping them.