Société Francaise des Habitations à bon Marché
c. 1880/99
Medium
Silvered bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 6 cm (2 3/8 in.)
Classification
medal
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
110272
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silvered bronze medal, by the renowned French artist Jules Clément Chaplain around1880–99, commemorates the *Société Française des Habitations à Bon Marché*—a pioneering organization dedicated to affordable housing the working class. Measuring just 6 cm in diameter, it exemplifies the intimate scale of medallic art, blending sculpture's depth with coin-like precision. Chaplain, a master engraver celebrated for his contributions to French medallic tradition, often infused his works with social themes reflective of the Third Republic's progressive era. In late 19th-century France...
About the Artist
Jules Clément Chaplain (French) · 1839 –1909
French, Mortagne, Orne 1839–1909 Paris