On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his birth, Monnaie de Paris pays tribute to Jean de La Fontaine, the greatest French fabulist and member of the Académie française.Through his texts, Jean de la Fontaine still fascinates us today by usin...
Jean de La Fontaine - 400th anniversary Paperweight medal Florentine Bronze 81mm
€129.00
Description
On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his birth, Monnaie de Paris pays tribute to Jean de La Fontaine, the greatest French fabulist and member of the Académie française.
Through his texts, Jean de la Fontaine still fascinates us today by using animals to represent the great traits of human character. Dedicated to the Dauphin Louis of France, Jean de la Fontaine leaves us a literary legacy of more than 250 fables as well as numerous collections of stories and poems.
This 81mm bronze medal pays tribute to the great literary man Jean de La Fontaine and his work. On the front, we find the bust of the poet, looking at one of his most famous fables: The Raven and the Fox.
Perch’d on a lofty oak, Sir Raven held a lunch of cheese. Sir Fox, who smelt it in the breezeand, observes him whire reciting his speech as a smooth talker.
This medal is engraved and numbered on the edge. The smooth reverse side can also be personalized.
The Collection
2021 marks the 400th birth anniversary of the famous French poet Jean de La Fontaine and on this occasion, the artisans of the Monnaie de Paris decided to pay tribute to him with different collections of coins and medals.
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jean de la Fontaine’s birth, I was keen on translating his works in metallic metaphor and second degree. We have therefore created products that are full of hidden references while being figurative at the same time. Up to you to find them out!
Engraver word
Our craftman
THE MEDAL MINTER
The medal minter transforms a blank into a medal, alternating between striking to bring out the relief and annealing to return the metal to a more malleable state. The blank is struck as many times as necessary, depending on the diameter, depth and detail of the engraving. Finally, surface treatments are applied to enhance the finished piece
THE ENGRAVER
Trained at the best schools, they have the years of experience behind them necessary to master all aspects of the craft. Using industrial oil-based modelling clay and working from a design executed freehand or with CAD software, they skilfully fashion a low relief model in order to enhance the engraving and the way it catches the light. They work alternately with concave and convex plaster moulds until satisfied they have achieved the best 3D rendering of the design.
