Medal of Major General Winfield Scott 1847

This bronze medal of Major General Winfield Scott was created by Charles Cushing Wright, although the precise date remains unknown. Its circular form, a self-contained world, immediately commands attention. The coppery-brown patina exudes a sense of history. The medal's design is a complex interplay of text and image, each vying for prominence. Winfield Scott’s profile hovers above the inscription, flanked by flags and eagles that signify military might and national pride. This arrangement presents a structural hierarchy, reinforcing the values of patriotism and the celebration of military success, common for its time. The medal's creation speaks to the broader cultural codes of honor and commemoration. It prompts us to question the values it embodies, and how these values are both shaped and reflected by the material object itself. This medal is not just a static object but a dynamic site where ideas about heroism and national identity are continually negotiated and re-evaluated.