Medal of Zachary Taylor 1849

Editor: Here we have Franklin Peale's bronze relief, "Medal of Zachary Taylor," from 1849. The profile portrait, the round shape of the piece, it all gives it such a stoic, classical feel. What can you tell me about how these presidential medals functioned at the time? Curator: It's interesting you note the classical feel, because this piece sits within a broader tradition. These medals were often commissioned and distributed by the US Mint, aiming to immortalize political figures and commemorate significant events. We have to ask, who was the intended audience, and what message were they meant to take away from it? Editor: It looks very official. Who was supposed to get it? Curator: That is a crucial point. They weren’t meant for everyday citizens; they were designed for diplomats, foreign dignitaries, and high-ranking military officers. Think of it as a carefully crafted piece of propaganda to project power. What does that profile, that specific image, convey? Editor: Well, that profile view reminds me of Roman emperors. I guess it suggests a sense of authority, and maybe permanence? Almost like claiming that this President Taylor will be one for the history books. Curator: Exactly! These medals borrow heavily from Neoclassical styles to legitimize a relatively young nation. The visual language aimed to connect America with the perceived glory and stability of past empires, even if the reality on the ground, especially considering slavery, was much more complicated. Editor: So, it is not *really* about Zachary Taylor as a person? Curator: In a way. The individual is subsumed to the need of projecting a strong, respectable image for the United States. These medals speak volumes about how the nation wanted to present itself on the world stage, even if that image masked some uncomfortable truths. What have you learned about this object and approach? Editor: This really made me see how even commemorative objects can have strong political purposes!