Wereldtentoonstelling te Parijs 1900 1900

O. Roty created this bronze medal to commemorate the 1900 Paris World Fair. More than a celebration of commerce, the fair was carefully designed by the French government to promote national pride and a sense of optimism. The image creates meaning through allegory. On one side, a winged figure symbolizing progress carries a torch, representing enlightenment and innovation. This classical imagery, combined with the architectural vista on the reverse, invokes France’s long history of cultural achievement. The Paris World Fair took place during a period of intense international competition and colonialism. France was keen to present itself as a modern, progressive nation, all while maintaining its imperial power. The fair served as a stage for showcasing French art, technology, and culture to a global audience. Historians consult a range of sources, including government archives, exhibition catalogues, and contemporary accounts, to understand the fair's complex political and cultural significance. This medal serves as a reminder that even seemingly celebratory art can reveal the power dynamics and social conditions of its time.