Wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen 1930 1930

Josué Dupon created this bronze medal to commemorate the World Exhibition in Antwerp in 1930. Just imagine holding this weighty object in your hand. I'm struck by the octagonal shape, like a stop sign, or maybe it’s a portal into the past. The surface is divided into these fascinating bas-relief scenes, each telling a story of industry, colonialism, and progress. On one side, figures gesture towards the sky as an airplane flies overhead. I wonder, was Dupon excited by the future? Or perhaps a bit anxious about it? On the flip side, a regal figure rides an elephant, symbolizing colonial power and the exotic allure of distant lands. The inscription around the edge feels like a proud declaration, a celebration of Antwerp as a hub of global trade and innovation. It makes you wonder about the stories behind the images, the layers of meaning embedded in the bronze.