In Honor of the Surgical and Pathological Discoveries of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Bart., Sergeant-Surgeon to George IV, William IV, and Victoria (1783–1862)

William Wyon, 1841

MEDIUMBronze
DIMENSIONSDiameter: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONEuropean Sculpture and Decorative Arts
CULTUREBritish, London
CREDIT LINERogers Fund, 1908

This 1841 bronze medal by William Wyon honors the surgical and pathological discoveries of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, showcasing Wyon's renowned skill as the chief engraver of the Royal Mint and his mastery of Neoclassical medallic art.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This bronze medal, created by the renowned British engraver William Wyon in 1841, pays tribute to Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, a prominent surgeon and pathologist of his era. Wyon, who served as the chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death, was celebrated for his exceptional skill in medallic art and coinage, having designed effigies for three monarchs: George IV, William IV, and Victoria. His work often showcased a Neoclassicist influence, a style he championed under the tutelage of John Flaxman. This medal exemplifies Wyon's mastery of relief sculpture, a hallmark of his prolific output. While the specific details of the medal's imagery are not provided, it would undoubtedly feature a finely rendered portrait of Sir Benjamin Brodie, a common subject for commemorative medals of the period, surrounded by intricate allegorical or symbolic elements reflecting his medical achievements. Wyon's ability to capture likeness and convey narrative through the demanding medium of bronze made him one of the most visible artists of his time, with his designs even influencing the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black.

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What to Notice

1

The detailed portrait of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie

2

The precision of the engraving, typical of Wyon's work

3

Any allegorical figures or symbols related to medicine

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Audio Deep Dive

This 1841 bronze medal by William Wyon honors the surgical and pathological discoveries of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, showcasing Wyon's renowned skill as the…

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THE ARTIST
William Wyon 1795–1851 · British Empire

William Wyon, Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint, left an indelible mark on British coinage and even the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black.

Read William's full story in Art Whisper
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