Victor Hugo (1802–1885) 1884

This bronze medal of Victor Hugo was created by Jean-Désiré Ringel d'Illzach. The profile portrait is framed by swirling ribbons inscribed with laudatory text. Here, the ribbons act as a symbol of honor, like laurel wreaths in ancient Roman portraiture. Consider, however, how the symbolic weight of the ribbon has shifted across epochs. In medieval tapestries, ribbons might bind allegorical figures. By the Renaissance, they flutter in Annunciation scenes. The emotional core remains: these are the ties that bind, whether literally or metaphorically. They speak to our collective memory and subconscious associations, engaging viewers on a deep level. In the late 19th century, the ribbon's symbolism is repurposed yet again. It morphs into a marker of honor in commemorations like this one. So the ribbon, a simple device, continually resurfaces, evolving and taking on new meanings across historical contexts.