Patriarche gives both a
realistic and idealistic representation of farm work. A young man wearing simple
clothes and wooden clogs sows seeds among the furrows of a plowed field, while another
farmer plows the field in the distance. The man is guided by a beautiful young
woman in classical dress who hovers behind him, representing the spirit of
Agriculture or perhaps specifically Ceres, the Greek goddess of agriculture. She
suggests something grand or mythic about farm work, which dignifies his labor. This
medal was awarded by the Agriculture Society of the Department of Indre, a
region in central France named for the river that runs through it. Patriarche
designed this medal c. 1908, and this specimen was awarded in 1935.
Louis Patriarche attended the
École des Beaux-Arts, trained with the master medalist Charles Vernon, and was
active as a medalist and sculptor. Scarce.
This medal will appeal to
collectors interested in the history of work, farming, and agriculture.
Extremely
fine. Nice even yellowish brown patina. See pictures.
Artist: Louis Patriarche (1872-1955)
Title: Sower, Agriculture Award, awarded 1935 (c. 1908)
Material: bronze
Size: 42 mm
Weight: 40 gr
Inscriptions:
Obverse: signed PATRIARCHE
Reverse: SOCIÉTÉ D’AGRICULTURE DU DÉPARTT DE L’INDRE/
FONDÉE LE 20 AVRIL 1801
Edge: Triangle
Mint: Société Elba
Reference: Leonard Forrer, Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, vol. 4, p. 429
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