Sint-Helenamedaille 1857

Albert-Désiré Barre designed this medal, with no date, to commemorate those who fought with Napoleon. This bronze medal gives us insight into the politics of imagery in 19th-century France. Barre uses visual cues, like the imperial crown and the portrait of Napoleon, to harken back to a glorious past. France had a complex relationship with its past, and this medal participated in that. The design blends classical elements, like the laurel wreath, with distinctly Napoleonic symbols, creating a powerful image aimed at veterans of the Napoleonic Wars. The medal was commissioned by Napoleon III, years after the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. What does this mean? The Saint Helena Medal was awarded to veterans of Napoleon I's campaigns, and the award served to legitimize Napoleon III's own regime by associating it with the glory of his uncle's. Historians rely on archival research, official records, and cultural objects such as this medal, in order to understand the complex socio-political landscape of the past.