Medal Commemorating the Death of William Pitt 1806

Benjamin Wyon created this bronze medal commemorating the death of William Pitt. In nineteenth-century Britain, commemorative medals served as powerful tools for shaping public opinion and immortalizing political figures. Pitt, a long-serving Prime Minister, was seen by many as the savior of the nation during the Napoleonic Wars. This medal, therefore, is more than just a portrait; it's a carefully constructed image intended to reinforce Pitt’s legacy. The profile view, inspired by classical Roman portraiture, presents Pitt as a strong, virtuous leader. The Latin inscription, "Non Sibi Sed Patriae" – "Not for himself, but for the country" – reinforces this image of selfless dedication. The medal itself functions as a piece of political propaganda, subtly promoting a particular interpretation of history. To truly understand this artwork, we need to consider not only its aesthetic qualities but also the social and political climate in which it was created and distributed, using resources such as historical archives and political pamphlets.