Honderdjarige herdenking van de geboorte van Louis Pasteur 1922 1922

This small bronze medal was made in 1922 by G. Prud'homme to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Louis Pasteur's birth. Just imagine the artist, Prud'homme, carefully carving into the metal, defining the sharp profile of Pasteur, and then on the reverse side, a symbolic torch surrounded by celebratory foliage. It's interesting to think about how artists like Prud'homme saw their work in relation to science and history. Do you think they felt a sense of responsibility to accurately represent their subjects, or were they more interested in conveying a particular feeling or idea? How much of this was technical skill and how much pure invention? This medal is a tribute but it’s also its own work of art, and a reflection of Prud'homme’s artistic vision. It reminds me that artists throughout time, whether they're painters or medal-makers, are always in conversation with one another, drawing inspiration and pushing the boundaries of their chosen forms.