Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Artist:
Paul Manship, born St. Paul, MN 1885-died New York City 1966  Search this
Medium:
bronze
Dimensions:
2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm) diam.
Type:
Sculpture-Medal
Date:
1918
Luce Center Label:
Paul Manship created uncharacteristically grim images for the obverse and reverse of this medal, which memorializes Germany’s conquest of Belgium. “Kultur” was an idealization of German civilization, developed by the German state to justify acts of aggression under the imperial regime. On the obverse, Manship depicted a thick-necked kaiser wearing a “rosary” of skulls representing the nations he had defeated. On the reverse, a Teutonic soldier abducts a woman whose baby lies dead on the ground. This medal sold for ten dollars to help relief efforts during the First World War.
Topic:
Figure group  Search this
Figure\fragment\skull  Search this
Figure male\bust  Search this
Occupation\military\soldier  Search this
History\United States\World War I  Search this
State of being\death\murder  Search this
Allegory\place\Belgium  Search this
Object\weapon\sword  Search this
Credit Line:
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship
Object number:
1966.47.124
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department:
Painting and Sculpture
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7ff4556ea-c5e9-4868-8297-bb4f80f4fdf8
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:saam_1966.47.124