In Honor of Admiral Lord Howe, 1794 1794

This bronze medal, made in 1794 by Conrad Heinrich Küchler, commemorates Admiral Lord Howe. It's a potent example of how art serves the creation and reinforcement of public figures. Lord Howe is presented in profile, every detail of his uniform meticulously rendered. Around the portrait, an inscription proclaims him the "Thalassiarchia Britan," or Admiral of Britain. Medals like this one circulated in a society grappling with rapid social and political change. They served to cement the heroic status of figures like Howe at a time of revolution in France and social unrest at home. The medal provides insight into the mechanisms of power, and how these are reinforced through visual culture. The artist has created an object which is more than just a portrait. It’s a symbol of British naval strength. To fully appreciate this work, we need to delve into the archives. Official records, personal letters, and other accounts can shed light on the context and circumstances of its production.