Die for Corcoran Gallery of Art Drawing Medal [obverse] n.d.

This is a die for a drawing medal, made by Henry Mitchell for the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The medal-making process typically involves engraving the design into a metal die, which is then used to strike the medal. This is a highly skilled craft, with a long history of use in both art and industry. The incised inscription reads ‘The Beginning Determines the End.’ The creation of such a medal involves a complex interplay of design, engraving, and industrial production techniques. The artist's design must be translated into a precise and durable form by a skilled engraver, who uses specialized tools to cut the image into the metal die. The medal itself serves not only as a token of achievement, but also as an object that embodies the values and aspirations of the institution that awards it. In this sense, the die is a fascinating object because it encapsulates the relationship between art, craft, and industry.