Medaille met portret van Marc Isambard Brunel after 1828

This portrait medal of Marc Isambard Brunel was made by Achille Collas, who lived in France during the 19th century. It's not cast in bronze or struck from metal, but rather, it's a precise engraving, a type of printmaking, and the mechanical precision that marks its method of production is really the point. The image is crisp and clean, every detail meticulously rendered. Collas was known for using a reducing machine, a mechanical device that allowed for the accurate scaling down of designs. The industrial revolution was in full swing at this time, and Collas put its principles to work in the service of art. Engraving requires skill and patience. The artist would have used specialized tools to carve lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and printed. This particular print honors Brunel, a celebrated engineer known for his innovative work. Collas’s choice of technique, with its roots in the world of engineering, acknowledges the significance of Brunel's achievements, mirroring his technical expertise. The reducing machine, along with engraving, suggests a time of huge shifts in labor, politics, and consumption. This medal bridges the gap between old craft traditions and the dawning age of automation, challenging the divide between fine art and industry.