Dr. Samuel Pozzi, 1846-1918, Physician [obverse] 1906

This silver medal portraying Dr. Samuel Pozzi was designed by Jules-Clément Chaplain in 1901. Medals like this are a form of low relief sculpture, and were typically made through a combination of die-striking, chasing, and engraving. The process begins with the making of a hard steel die, in which the design is carved in reverse. This is then used to strike the metal, creating a positive image. The sharpness of the details, the smoothness of the background, and the overall quality all depend on the skill of the die cutter, and also the force of the press. The choice of silver, a precious metal, speaks to the esteem in which Dr. Pozzi was held. The fact that the medal was produced in multiples suggests a system of patronage, class and value attached to this figure. But the seriality of the object also sets it apart from unique works of art. It's a reminder that even seemingly precious objects are often the product of industrial processes and social forces. The medal invites us to reflect on how labor, value, and representation intertwine.