Culture in Belgium [Kultur in Belgium] 1918

This bronze medal, "Culture in Belgium," was crafted by Paul Manship, though we're not exactly sure when. It’s a disturbing scene, right? The German soldier carrying away a woman, with a child lying dead beneath them – all rendered in this cold, hard metal. What’s so compelling here is how the metal takes on a kind of slippery, fleshy quality; the forms almost seem to bulge out at you. Look closely, and you’ll notice the stark contrast between the rigid, almost architectural lettering and the fluid, organic shapes of the figures. Manship really knew how to push the boundaries of his medium. This piece makes me think of Goya's Disasters of War. Both works confront us with the uncomfortable truth of human cruelty, and the way that culture itself can be a casualty of conflict. The medal's small size forces you to confront it up close. It's a reminder that art can be a powerful witness, even when it's unsettling.