George Washington Inaugural Centennial Medal [reverse]

1889

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (designer), Philip Martiny (engraver/modeler), Gorham Manufacturing Company (manufacturer)

Associated Names
Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Designer, American, born Ireland, 1848 - 1907

Philip Martiny

Engraver/modeler, American, born France, 1858 - 1927

Gorham Manufacturing Company

Manufacturer, American, 1815 - present

The sculpture features a commemorative medal depicting an eagle with outstretched wings at the top. The eagle has a shield at its chest with the motto "E Pluribus Unum." Below the eagle, inscriptions detail the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789 in New York. The medal is weathered bronze with a green patina. The surface is textured, emphasizing the relief of the decorations and inscriptions. The design is framed by a circle of raised stars.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a circular medallion featuring a profile portrait of George Washington. The medallion is made from a material with a rich, warm brown hue and a slightly weathered texture. The detailing of Washington's facial features and clothing, including ruffled attire and tied-back hair, is intricate. Surrounding the profile are inscriptions "GEORGE WASHINGTON," "PATER M.DCCL," and "PATRIAE XXIX," accentuated by star motifs. On the right side of the medallion, a relief sculpture of a fasces—a bundle of rods bound together with an axe protruding—is included. The medallion's design has a timeless quality reminiscent of commemorative coins and medals from the late 18th or early 19th century.

George Washington Inaugural Centennial Medal [obverse]

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Philip Martiny, Gorham Manufacturing Company

1889

Artwork history & notes

Inscriptions

around circumference, thirty-eight five-pointed stars; across field: TO.COMMEMORATE / THE.INAVGVRATION / OF.GEORGE.WASHINGTON / AS.FIRST.PRESiDENT.OF.THE / VNITED STATES.OF.AMERICA / AT.NEW.YORK.APRIL.XXX / M.D.C.C.LXXXIX. / BY.AVTHORITY.OF / THE.COMMITTEE / ON.CELEBRATION / NEW YORK.APRIL / XXX. / .M.D.C.C.C.LXXXIX.; across shield on eagle's chest: E / PLVRIBVS / VNVM

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