|
Date: |
|
Description: | whole: rectangle
obverse design: warrior, standing facing left, naked except for French Adrian-pattern steel helmet. He is struggling with an eagle which is
ferociously gripping his chest with its talons. The warrior holds the eagle's right wing with his left hand and has a dagger in his raised
right hand. At his feet, to left, a discarded pickelhaube.
obverse text: 'MDCCCCXVII' (right vertical edge)
reverse design: wild boar, standing facing in woodland setting. Above the boar a central panel bearing text and in the upper portions of th
design, along upper edge, six heraldic shields.
reverse text: 'OEUVRE DU SOLDAT ARDENNAIS'
A First World War French inspirational medallic tribute to the endurance of the French Army throughout 1917, making use
of allegory and symbols. The German eagle tears at the muscular warrior, emblematic of the French 'poilu'. The imagery suggests the
necessity and primacy of a defensive role for the French forces as a consequence of the exhaustion produced by the Verdun battles of 1916
and the dislocations caused by the serious mutinies in the French Army during May and June of 1917. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Western Front & 1917 French Army commemorative First World War propaganda | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Prud'homme, G | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
|
|