75-Jarig bestaan van Fabrique Nationale, wapenfabriek te Luik 1964

This medal, made to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Fabrique Nationale arms factory in Liège, is all about the way an image is built, layer by layer. Look at the way the sculptor, Henriquel-Dupont, models the forms in shallow relief, playing with light and shadow to create depth. On one side, there is an allegorical sculpture atop a pillar, flanked by the factory's initials and the dates of its founding and anniversary. The other side shows a nude tennis player. His body is taut with energy, ready to swing. The lines in the background look almost like a vortex, amplifying the sense of motion. I wonder how much time the artist spent deciding on the specific angle of the racket. It’s not just about representing a tennis player; it’s about capturing the precise moment of action, the anticipation just before the strike. It's a bit like Degas trying to capture the essence of a dancer in motion. Ultimately, what speaks to me is the combination of classical and modern imagery. It is a really interesting piece, full of energy.