Object Details
Artist
Adolph A. Weinman, born Karlsruhe, Germany 1870-died Forest Hills, NY 1952
Founder
U.S. Mint
Exhibition Label
The exposition celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. It also led to the expansion of the plantation system and the further dispossession of land from Indigenous nations.
The figure at left represents Columbia—derived from Christopher Columbus. Her left arm wraps an American flag around a figure who personifies the assumed uncivilized Louisiana Territory. Her nudity and braided hair are meant to signal that she is Native.
Label text from The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture November 8, 2024 -- September 14, 2025
Luce Center Label
The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair---also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition---marked the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, which dramatically broadened the territory of the United States. Adolph Weinman created this alternate design for the reverse of the commemorative medal (see 1970.217a-b), which was available to fairgoers in St. Louis for fifty cents.
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. C. Keith McLane
Date
1904
Object number
1970.220A-B
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture-Medal
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
medal: 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1/4 in. (7.0 x 7.0 x 0.6 cm) triangular
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Figure group\female
Figure female\nude
Animal\bird\eagle
Landscape\time\sunrise
Allegory\place\America
Animal\dolphin
Object\other\flag
History\United States\Louisiana Purchase
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1970.220A-B