Founding of the Legion of Honor, 1804
Medium
Gilt bronze, struck
Dimensions
Diameter: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)
Classification
Medals and Plaquettes
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Hon. Levi P. Morton, 1885
Accession Number
85.2.72
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gilt bronze medal titled *Founding of the Legion of Honor 1804*, commemor Napoleon Bonaparte's prestigious order of merit, established in 1802 reward military and civilian excellence during France's revolutionary era.uck at the Paris Mint it captures a pivotal moment in Napoleonic France, symbolizing the emperor's blend of republican ideals and imperial ambition. At just 1 9/16 inches (4 cm) in diameter its intimate scale made it ideal for personal wear or display, reflecting the era's fascination with portable honors. Crafted collaboratively by engravers Bertrand Andrieu and L...
About the Artist
Bertrand Andrieu|Louis Jaley|baron Dominique Vivant Denon|Paris Mint · 1761–1822
French, Bordeaux 1761–1822 Paris