Medal of Honor for the American Institute of Architects n.d.

This is Herbert Adams' Medal of Honor for the American Institute of Architects. Created during a period when American art often looked to classical forms to express ideals, this medal embodies the aspirations of early 20th-century American architecture. We see a nude male figure – a symbol of classical antiquity. He holds a miniature classical building in one hand and a laurel branch in the other, likely referencing the artistic traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, periods often associated with democratic ideals and cultural achievements. The inscription, "Ad Gloriam Artis," translates to "For the Glory of Art," suggesting the high value placed on artistic achievement. Yet, who gets to decide what art is worthy of glory? And whose vision of art is being celebrated here? The imagery presents a very specific aesthetic, one that consciously references European traditions and perhaps unintentionally silences other voices. How might our understanding of architectural ‘glory’ expand if we broaden our view?