Michel Etienne Turgot, provoost van de koophandel te Parijs Possibly 1730 - 1740

This silver medal was designed by Jean Duvivier to honor Michel Etienne Turgot, who was provost of the merchants of Paris, though the medal's exact date of production is unknown. The images and text speak to the complex relationships between merchants, nobility, and civic identity in 18th century France. Notice the visual codes on either side. On one side, unicorns flank a crowned shield and a latin inscription that names Turgot as a counselor to the king. On the other side, an elaborate crest contains a ship under fleur-de-lis, referencing Paris. This imagery suggests a fusion of royal authority and urban commerce. What do these symbols tell us about the status and social role of merchants in Paris at this time? The archives of the Parisian Chamber of Commerce and the records of the royal court would give more insights into the dynamics between these powerful institutions. Art objects like this are a window into the ways that political and economic power was perceived, negotiated, and visualized.