Medal of the Marquis de Lafayette

Art Historical Context

This striking iron medal, crafted by French medalist François Augustin Caun in 1824, honors the Marquis de Lafayette, the celebrated hero of the American Revolution. Measuring just 1 3/4 inches in diameter, it features a detailed profile portrait of the marquis, capturing his noble visage in a classical style typical of early 19th-century medal art. Now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it was generously gifted by William H. Huntington in 188. Lafayette's transatlantic fame peaked in 1824 during his triumphant farewell tour of the United States, marking the 50th anniversary of the Yorktown victory. Cities showered him with medals like this one, symbols of enduring gratitude for his pivotal aid to George Washington and the fight for independence. Produced in iron—a durable yet affordable medium—this piece democratized the commemorative art form, allowing broader public veneration beyond elite precious metals. Caunois's technique exemplifies the precision of French medal-making, with incised details that highlight Lafayette's dignified profile against a textured background. As a tangible relic of Franco-American bonds, it invites visitors to reflect on how personal heroism shaped nations.

About the Artist

François Augustin Caunois · 1787–1859

French, 1787–1859