Hippolyte Fortoul (1811–1856), French man-of-letters and politician

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bronze medal, created by the renowned French sculptor Pierre-Jean David d'Angers 1839, captures the profile of Hippolyte Fortoul1811–1856), a prominent man-of-letters, philosopher and politician. Fortoul rose to influence during France's July Monarchy and later served as Minister of Fine Arts under Napoleon III, advocating for cultural reforms. David d'Angers, a master of Romantic portraiture, immortalized over 500 such luminaries in medallions, blending neoclassical precision with expressive individualism to honor the era's intellectuals and leaders. Measuring just 6½ inches in diameter, this single-cast bronze plaquette exemplifies the intimate artistry of 19th-century French medals. The profile view—evident in its tags—allows for a striking, coin-like intimacy, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering subtle facial contours and dynamic posture through fine chasing and patination techniques. Such works were prized as personal tokens or diplomatic gifts, bridging sculpture and decorative arts. Now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department, thanks to a 1898 gift from collector Samuel P. Avery, this piece offers visitors a window into France's vibrant intellectual scene, where art and politics intertwined.

About the Artist

Pierre Jean David d'Angers · 1788–1856

Pierre-Jean David d'Angers, born on March 12, 1788, in Angers, France, to a wood carver and ornamental sculptor father who had fought in the Republican army, began his artistic training locally under Marchand and Jean-Jacques Delusse at the École centrale d'Angers from 1806 to 1807. In 1808, he arrived in Paris with scant funds and entered the studio of Philippe-Laurent Roland, later working under...