Medal of Major General Andrew Jackson
1800–1830
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
Classification
Medal
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
Accession Number
83.2.404
Tags
Art Historical Context
This bronze medal, crafted by engraver Moritz Fürst between1800 and 1830, honors Major General Andrew Jackson, celebrated American military leader who rose to fame during the War of 1812. Measuring just 2½ inches in diameter, it Jackson in a classic profile portrait—a hallmark of commemorative medals that evoke ancient Roman coins, blending classical artistry with modern heroism. Fürst, known for his precise metalwork, likely struck this piece using engraving techniques to create a durable, intimate token of national pride. Historically, the medal reflects Jackson's pivotal role in battles li...
About the Artist
Moritz Fürst · 1782–1882
Moritz Fürst was a Hungarian-born engraver and medalist who became one of the most accomplished practitioners of his craft in the early United States. Born in Hungary in 1782, he acquired his technical training in European ateliers before emigrating to America, where he arrived in the early years of the nineteenth century and ultimately settled in Philadelphia — then the center of the young nation...