MORE ON THE NAPOLEON MYSTERY MEDALLION

 

The July 4, 2021, issue of The E-Sylum had a mystery medal with a rider on a horse. Chip Howell saw a similarity to the painting of Washington Crossing the Alps. I thought the differences were significant.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps is an iconic painting by Jacques-Louis David executed in 1801. It is also known as Napoleon at the Saint-Bernard Pass. There are actually five versions of the painting that hang in different museums.

On Saturday, November 13, 2021, I participated in a Zoom meeting for Medal Collectors of America. Stephen Scher showed a medal by Bertrand Andrieu of Passage of the Saint-Bernard Pass, executed in 1800, before the David painting. This also has similarities to the mystery medal.

I took a closer look at an enlargement of the mystery medal. What I initially thought was an unusual cap, I now believe was intended to represent Napoleon's hat. The medal is not based on the David painting but rather on various similar images of Napoleon from that era.

With the crude execution and lack of any inscription, I still believe it is a decorative piece with little value.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JULY 4, 2021 : Identification of Colonial Medal? (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n27a12.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JULY 11, 2021 : Mystery Medallion: Napoleon Legion of Honour Eagle? (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n28a08.html)

 

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