To commemorate the founding of the National School of Industrial Arts at Roubaix, 1890

Art Historical Context

Crafted in 1890 by the esteemed French sculptor and engraver Jules-Clémentlain, this silvered bronze medal commemorates founding of the National School Industrial Arts in Roubaix a textile hub in northern France. just 2 11/16 inches (6.8 cm) in diameter, it belongs to the intimate world of medals and plaquettes—small-scale sculptures that blend fine artistry with commemorative purpose. Chaplain a master of medallic art in the late 19th century, precise striking techniques from engraved dies (clichés) on both sides, showcasing his skill in capturing intricate details on a miniature canvas. The medal's imagery, evoking houses, male nudes, and women, likely symbolizes the harmony of industry, labor, and creative inspiration central to the school's mission. Male nudes may represent the physical toil of industrial work, while female figures and architectural motifs nod to the nurturing of arts amid France's rapid industrialization. This reflects the era's push for design education to elevate manufactured goods, bridging traditional sculpture with modern utility. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from collector Samuel P. Avery in 1893, this piece highlights the cultural prestige of such objets d'art, preserving a snapshot of France's innovative spirit at the fin de siècle.

About the Artist

Jules-Clément Chaplain · 1839–1909

Jules-Clément Chaplain (1839–1909) was a French engraver and medallist who became the most celebrated practitioner of the art medal in late nineteenth-century France. Born in Mortagne-au-Perche in Normandy, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Jouffroy and Oudiné and won the Prix de Rome for engraving in 1863, which enabled him to study in Italy for several years. Chaplain's work...