Medal 1819

This bronze medal portraying George Washington was created by John Bacon the Elder. The circular format, a self-contained universe, immediately draws our focus to the profile. Notice how Bacon employs the circular shape to frame and emphasize Washington's head, imbuing the portrait with a sense of classical authority, a visual language understood since antiquity. The material itself, bronze, lends a sense of permanence and gravity to the image. The sharp, precise lines of the engraving articulate Washington's features, from the firm set of his jaw to the controlled curls of his hair. The inscription of his name around the perimeter isn't merely descriptive; it serves to monumentalize him. It’s a formal strategy that elevates the individual to an almost mythical status. Ultimately, this medal operates within a semiotic system, where visual elements function as signs, encoding power, leadership, and the very idea of a nation's founder.