Description: The metallic gallery of great French men, referenced in the work of Jean-Pierre Collignon, "The French medal in the 19th century and history", has 118 characters. This medal is more than two centuries old.Obverse : bust of Bernard de Saint Pierre, signed by ChardignyReverse : "Né au Havre en MDCCXXXVII mort en MDCCCXIV / GALERIE METALLIQUE DES GRANDS HOMMES FRANCAIS 1823"Diameter : 41 mm or 1,6 inchWeight : 38 gramsMetal : bronze, plain edge, original 1823 strikeJacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre (also called Bernardin de St. Pierre) (19 January 1737, in Le Havre – 21 January 1814, in Éragny, Val-d'Oise) was a French writer and botanist. He is best known for his 1788 novel, Paul et Virginie, a very popular 18th-century classic of French literature. The Galerie métal des grands hommes français was born in 1816 from the will of Louis Bérard (1783-1859), who was a French politician, engineer, industrialist and senior civil servant. The political context of 1816 was that of the Restoration: after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo (1815), defeated France returned to a monarchical regime. This political context, but also the personality of Louis Bérard were obviously not without consequences on the nature of the Galerie métal des grands hommes français.Although his father was guillotined in 1794 for having sided with the king, Louis Bérard was a fervent defender of liberal ideas. He served Napoleon faithfully, which earned him a temporary removal from the Council of State in 1815 before being recalled in 1817 and re-exiting it again in 1820. It should be noted that Bérard was not only a liberal, but also, subsequently, a very resolute opponent of King Charles X. Although his political life was very turbulent, Bérard was always a great servant of the State in the manner of the Ancien Régime as well as a fervent patriot. In addition to his political commitments, Bérard was a particularly active industrialist and the creation of the series of medals on the great French men shows his dynamism. However, this activity as a "medalist" was for him only an activity of prestige, honor and patriotism. He certainly earned much more income from his Gas Lighting Company or his forges in Alès than from the medals of the great French men. The Galerie Métallique was born in 1816, in the midst of the monarchical restoration. The primary idea that presided over the creation of the GMGH was the patriotic idea. Louis Bérard undoubtedly intended to recall a glorious French past after the crushing of France at Waterloo. He wanted to give a reason to be proud to the defeated French. But, given the political context of the monarchical restoration, it was out of the question to evoke recent political and military glories and Napoleon is the great absentee from the Galerie Métallique. However, his shadow hangs over this series of medals. It should be noted that the kings of France are also absent from the series, which is intended to be more or less apolitical (neither Bonapartist nor royalist): the GMGH is essentially made up of men of science, men of letters and artists.
Price: 19 USD
Location: Tourcoing
End Time: 2024-11-20T19:26:43.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.9 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
Brand: FRENCH MINT
Composition: Bronze
Type: Medal
Fineness: 0.999
Country/Region of Manufacture: France
Modified Item: No
