Memorial of Circle of Friends of the Medallion, 1909 1909

Jules Edouard Roiné created this plaster medallion in 1909. It’s like a coin, but way bigger, and instead of a president, we’ve got a Renaissance guy. I love that it's made of plaster. You can almost feel the artist's hands pressing and shaping the material. The texture is so tactile, especially in the hair. Look at those tiny curls! Each one seems carefully placed, catching the light and creating a sense of movement. The inscription loops around the edge, "Circle of Friends of the Medallion," like a secret society. It feels like Roiné is inviting us to join their club, a club of artists, thinkers, and dreamers. Makes you wonder, who were these friends? And what kind of conversations did they have? I’m thinking it was something like Rodin’s circle, a bunch of people trying to make something new. Art is always a conversation, right?