France Mourning the President of the Republic [reverse] 1894

"France Mourning the President of the Republic" is a silver commemorative plaque created by Louis-Oscar Roty in 1894. This piece depicts France, represented by a woman in mourning, standing over the body of the deceased president, symbolizing the nation’s grief. The inscription at the bottom reads "Dans le deuil de la patrie" meaning "In the mourning of the country." The plaque's somber tone, utilizing symbolic figures of France and the deceased president, serves as a poignant reminder of the historical event it commemorates. This piece exemplifies the style of the late 19th century, which often utilized allegory and symbolism to express emotions and social commentary.