Medal for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the École française d'Athènes [obverse]

Louis-Oscar Roty

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a relief on a medal. It shows a woman seated with a serene demeanor, draped in classical robes, holding a small child aloft. The woman sits on an elevated step or platform with a staff leaning against her body. In the background, there are faint outlines of ancient columns, rolling hills, and architectural structures. The relief is a metallic silver tone, typical of medallions. Above the figures, there is an inscription that reads "POUR LA SCIENCE POUR LA PATRIE," which translates to "For Science For the Fatherland" in English. The relief is crafted with attention to detail in the folds of the woman's garments and the child's features.