Anatole de la Forge 1878

This bronze medal of Anatole de la Forge was created by Aimé Millet in 1873. The medal presents a somber yet refined profile, the dark bronze giving a tactile depth. The incised lettering, which is carefully arranged, frames the portrait and adds to the piece's sense of dignified order. Millet’s work invites us to consider the interplay between form and message. The crisp, precise lines defining de la Forge’s features contrast with the soft, almost blurred texture of his beard, creating a visual dichotomy. This contrast might reflect the complex social and political tensions of post-1870 France. The choice of bronze, a material traditionally associated with commemoration, elevates de la Forge, perhaps symbolizing his enduring impact on his community. The medal, therefore, operates on multiple levels: as a portrait, as a historical marker, and as an artifact embedded with cultural values. Its meaning is constructed not only through the subject it depicts, but also through the artistic choices that shape its very substance.