Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition 1876

This gilded metal medal, designed by William Barber, commemorates the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. The composition is arranged in a circular format, a common structure for medals, which here invokes a sense of completion and unity. Look closely at the relief. Three figures anchor the design. A central allegorical female figure, possibly representing Liberty or Progress, stands poised with open arms. Flanking her are two other female figures engaged in activities representing industry and the arts. The crisp, precise lines of the figures and machinery contrast with the smoother, more flowing drapery, creating a dynamic tension within the small space. This medal uses a visual language deeply embedded in classical and neoclassical traditions. The semiotic system at play communicates values of progress, industry, and artistic achievement that were central to the American identity at the time. Its circular form not only contains these images but also suggests an ongoing, cyclical view of progress and commemoration.