"Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [obverse]

1934

Herbert Adams (designer), Medallic Art Company (manufacturer)

Associated Names
Herbert Adams

Designer, American, 1858 - 1945

Medallic Art Company

Manufacturer, American, est. 1910 - closed 2016

The image shows a relief sculpture on a medal featuring a naked young boy standing against a flat background. The boy is depicted wading through water, holding a stick-like object with a line. Rippling lines suggest water. The sculpture is likely made of bronze, with warm brownish-gold color. An inscription on the backdrop reads, "OH WHAT ARE THE PRIZES WE PERISH TO WIN." The sculpture combines realistic proportions with stylized elements, particularly evident in the boy's hair and facial features.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The sculpture features a fish leaping out of water, with its fins spread and scales detailed. The sculpture is made from a bronze-like material with a golden-brown color. It is set within a medallion-shaped frame with a scalloped edge and inscription that reads, "TO THE FIRST LITTLE SHINER WE CAUGHT WITH A PIN." The fish is central to the medallion, with water illustrations underneath.

"Oh, what are the prizes we perish to win,To the first little 'shiner' we caught with a pin?" [reverse]

Herbert Adams, Medallic Art Company

1934

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gift 1934 to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, through subscription to the Society of Medalists (Ninth Issue); acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1980

  • That's Entertainment, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, 1980, unpublished checklist, no. 1.

Inscriptions

around circumference: OH WHAT ARE THE PRIZES WE PERISH TO WIN; in exergue, artist's initials in monogram: HA 1934 ©

You may be interested in

Loading Results