Collection Highlights
Pierre Toussaint (ca. 1766-1853)
ca. 1825
1920.4
Watercolor on ivory
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Battle of Verdun Medal
Title
Battle of Verdun Medal
Date
1916-1919
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
diameter: 2 11/16 in. ( 6.8 cm )
Description
Bronze struck medal with obverse depicting two allegorical female figures representing Belgium and France, holding sword, flag, and laurel branches, with city view in background; crowned eagle bearing sword at lower left with shields containing seals of France and Belgium at right; inscription at lower right: "VERDUN./ON.NE.PASSE.PAS/.MCMXVI.". Reverse depicts bust portraits of General Petain, General Nivelle, and General de Curieres de Castelnau within round medallions, labelled respectively and enclosed by laurel wreath adorned with military decorations; inscription at center: ".A./.LA.GLOIRE./.DES.HEROS.DE./.VERDUN./MCMXVI".
Object Number
INV.5542
Marks
Inscription: obverse, at right of field: "Ch. Pillet"
Inscription: edge, lower center: "BRONZE"
Gallery Label
A 300-day stalemate between French and German troops, the 1916 Battle of Verdun resulted in over 700,000 casualties. General Robert Nivelle (1856-1924), the first commander of French troops, was replaced by General Philippe Petain (1856-1951), hero of the battle. Petain was later discredited as head of the French collaborationist (Vichy) government in World War II.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
