Ferdinand de Lesseps (French, Versailles 1805 – 1894 Guilly) 1884

This bronze medal, created by Jean-Désiré Ringel d'Illzach in 1884, depicts Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat and engineer known for his work on the Suez Canal. The medal features a profile portrait of de Lesseps, with a laurel wreath above his head and the inscription "Ferdinand de Lesseps" surrounding the image. The artist's name, "Ringel d'Illzach," is included on the medal, as well as the year of de Lesseps' birth. This piece of commemorative sculpture is an example of the French Art Nouveau style, characterized by its naturalistic motifs and decorative elements. The medal is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.