Honoring Émile Zola (1840–1902), French Novelist 1898

This bronze plaquette, honoring Émile Zola, was crafted by Alexandre Charpentier. It is a powerful testament to Zola's influence, yet its classical medallion form carries echoes of ancient Roman commemorative art. The profile portrait, reminiscent of imperial portraiture, elevates Zola, suggesting his significance to French culture. This format can be traced back through Renaissance medals to ancient coins celebrating emperors and thinkers. But instead of a laurel wreath, Zola wears a simple, modern suit, grounding him in his contemporary reality. This conscious blend of classical form and modern subject reflects a broader cultural impulse – to find timeless value in contemporary figures. By casting Zola in the mold of classical heroes, Charpentier invites us to consider the enduring impact of Zola's work, suggesting that his words, like the images of emperors past, will resonate through the ages.