Object Details
Artist
Anthony de Francisci, born Palermo, Italy 1887-died New York City 1964
Luce Center Label
In 1920, Congress authorized a special gold medal honoring the sacrifice of the citizens of the French city of Verdun during World War I. The Battle of Verdun was one of the most devastating of the war and led to approximately 800,000 casualties. The United States Commission of Fine Arts, established by Congress in 1910, held a limited competition for medal designs in early 1920. Anthony de Francisci submitted two designs for the obverse of the coin. In this artist’s strike, or sample, the American eagle and the French cockerel hold aloft the olive branch of peace over the ramparts of Verdun.
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Anthony de Francisci
Date
1920
Object number
1966.51.62
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture-Medal-Sample
Medium
gilded bronze
Dimensions
4 in. (10.2 cm) diam.
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Animal\bird\eagle
Animal\bird\chicken
Allegory\place\Verdun
History\France\World War I
Emblem\star
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1966.51.62