Creator Biography
Eugène André Oudiné was born in Paris France in 1810, and aside from his work as a medallist he was also interested in monumental sculpture and portrait busts. Oudiné spent his whole life in Paris, and he eventually died there in 1887.
Preview
Creation Date
1855
Geography
France
Culture
French
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diameter: 1.9 in. (5.0 cm)
Weight: 2.0 oz. (55.8 g)
Credit Line
Gift in Loving Memory of Boris Blick & Judith Rosenbloom Blick by their daughter Sarah Blick, 2024
Accession Number
2015.159.11
Provenance
Purchased in the United Kingdom for £15 on an unknown date.
Condition
This medal is in great condition, with little to no sign of wear. (February 2025)
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings
Obverse:
NAPOLEON III / EMPEREUR
F A OUDINE
Reverse:
EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE
LA FRANCE COURONNE L’ART ET L’INDUSTRIE
CAQUÉ F
Description
The obverse of the medal includes the profile of Napoleon III looking to the left. On his head, he wears a crown of leaves that is tied with ribbon in the back. Towards the edge of the medal is an inscription identifying the image as Napoleon III. Just under his head in small inscription, we find the maker’s mark, which reads “F A Oudine”.
On the reverse, we find an image of Lady Liberty standing in the center of a raised platform with her arms held outward. In both of her hands, she holds a crown directly above the heads of two female figures sitting to both of her sides. In the left hand she holds a crown of leaves, and in the right hand she holds a crown of stars. With the omission of her defining crown, both of the women included appear very similar in nature to Lady Liberty. Their legs are positioned outwards while the rest of their body’s face forward. The woman to the left holds what appears to be some sort of weapon, and the woman to the right salutes and is holding a text. On the platform directly below Lady Liberty is an image of an eagle with widespread wings. Rounding the top of the medal reads the inscription, “EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE”. Just below the platform the figures are standing and sitting on, it reads: “LA FRANCE COURONNE L’ART ET L’INDUSTRIE”, which translates to “France Crowning Art and Industry”. The much smaller inscription below this reads, “CAQUÉ F”.
Though not a part of the medal’s design, it should also be noted that to the right of Lady Liberty is a sticker with the price £15 written on it from when it had been purchased.