Two Medals Depicting Columbus 1892

This bronze medal depicting Christopher Columbus resides in the Art Institute of Chicago. Its circular form, material texture and color, and relief structure guide our understanding of the artwork. The medal features a profile of Columbus, encircled by text and framed within the circular boundary. The artist employs a low-relief technique, where the sculpted elements project slightly from the flat background, creating depth and shadow. This interplay of light and shadow animates the surface, lending a tactile quality to the medal. Semiotically, the medal operates as a symbol of historical narrative, shaped by cultural values and beliefs. The dates 1492 and 1892, which border the image, suggest a commemorative function, marking the anniversary of Columbus's voyage. The medal presents a fixed representation of Columbus, but it simultaneously invites critique of its symbolic function. It allows for a re-evaluation of the values and narratives embedded within its very form.