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France - 1819

David (Louis), peintre français (Michaut et Galle)

Obverse:

Bust of David, right.

Legend:

J. LOUIS DAVID PEINTRE FRANÇAIS. NE À PARIS .

Exergue:

On the shoulder, MICHAUT 1819

Size:

34 mm.

Reverse:

In the field, various paintings by David, LES HORACES . SOCRATE . LES SABINES . LEONIDAS .

Legend:

Outer Legend, L'ÉCOLE FRANÇAISE REGÉNERÉE .
Inner Legend, AUX ÉLÈVES DE DAVID M .

Exergue:

Multiple symbols including an anchor, a lion and a lamp.

Vern's Comments:

The d'Essling catalog is just that, an auction catalog for one of the largest Napoleonic medal collections of all time. This lot had two medals, one by Galle that measured 56 mm and this one by Michaut that measures 34 mm. There was no description other than the engraver's names and the sizes. Neither medal is listed in Bramsen's catalog nor in the Milan catalog. The medal itself also seems to be commemorating the regeneration of the French School, presumeably of Painting.

In something of a departure from normal for this site I have linked to scans of the pictures mentioned. There are also hi-res pictures of the obverse and reverse.

d'Essling:

David (Louis), peintre français (Michaut et Galle)