William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath (1684–1764) 1744

Curator: This medal, created by Jacques-Antoine Dassier in 1744, immortalizes William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath. Note how Dassier masterfully employs metal to capture the baroque style and convey the gravity of the Earl's position. Editor: Ah, it strikes me as more than just a historical record. It feels almost melancholic. That patinated bronze lends a solemn air. It's as if we’re gazing at a memory burnished by time. Curator: Indeed, the material choice significantly shapes our perception. Consider how the circular form itself reinforces unity and completeness, emphasizing the subject's stature. Editor: True, but that strong profile, coupled with his flowing wig, gives a performative air—like he's caught mid-speech. It almost feels theatrical, doesn’t it? A tiny drama frozen in metal. Curator: The contrast in textures, from the smoothness of his skin to the intricate curls of the wig, invites tactile engagement. It reveals Dassier's profound understanding of material language. Furthermore, notice how the Latin inscription "GVILIELMVS PVLTENEY" grounds the artwork within a tradition of classical portraiture, evoking a sense of timeless importance. Editor: Right! And I love the way light catches on that raised relief, giving him dimension, a pulse. I can almost hear the debates, smell the powdered wigs of the era! It's so visceral. Curator: We can say, then, that the work's symbolic power derives not only from its representation of a historical figure, but also from its deliberate manipulation of form and material to convey authority and presence. Editor: Absolutely! This small disc of metal becomes a portal. Thanks to the sculptor’s eye, Pulteney isn't just some name in a history book; he’s here, wrestling with the big issues of his day. Curator: I agree. Through precise sculpting, Dassier transforms metal into a lens, allowing us to analyze history itself through a detailed object. Editor: To ponder such a detailed record. One can hold history in their hands—or, in this case, visualize it, and ponder the passage of time, all etched on the surface of a medal.