Jules Jean Jusserand Commemorative Medal for the American Historical Association [obverse]

Art Historical Context

This bronze commemorative medal, crafted by American sculptor Herbert Adams in 1925, honors Jules Jean Jusserand, the distinguished French ambassador and historian who served as a bridge between American and European scholarship. Measuring just 2½ inches in diameter, the obverse side exemplifies the intimate scale of medallic art, designed to be held and studied closely rather than viewed from afar. Adams, known for his refined portrait work, brought a classical sensibility to the piece, which was commissioned by the American Historical Association to celebrate Jusserand’s contributions to transatlantic historical studies. Cast in durable bronze, the medal reflects a long tradition of using this medium for official commemorations, allowing intricate details to endure through generations. Its presence in the National Gallery of Art’s collection—gifted by the artist’s widow from the Corcoran—underscores its role as both an artistic object and a historical artifact. Visitors can appreciate how such small-scale sculptures quietly preserve cultural memory, linking personal achievement with institutional legacy in a format that feels both timeless and personal.