"Man Seeks Peace" by Albert Stewart

Man Seeks Peace 1936
by Albert Stewart
SOM-14.1
Red-gold bronze with dull brown patina
SOM-14.3
Silver

This medal was chosen as the 14th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1936.

The obverse bears man leaning on plow, gazing right toward military cemetery. To left and right, MAN - SEEKS / TO TURN - FROM THE / SAVAGERY - OF WAR; in exergue, 1936 / ©

The reverse bears winged female figure in flight over mountains, holding olive branch. In exergue, PEACE

Stewart's Message from the Artist was very brief:

"In arriving at the subject matter for a contemporary medal, I was guided by the belief that man's voice of protest against war is growing from and inaudible whisper to a resounding concordance, which may bring 'between all men peace and good fellowship.'"

The message was deeply felt and widely shared, yet 1936 was already giving a preview of the violence that was to engulf the world within a few years: Italy concquered Ethiopia, civil war raged in Spain, Japanese aggression against China, the Arab revolt against the British, and of course Hitler's remilitarization of the Rhineland were all portents of a world at strife.

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company. Its mintage is reported to be 968 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.

SOM-14.1
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Red-gold bronze with dull brown patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FOURTEENTH ISSUE
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.-BRONZE
SOM-14.2
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Deep reddish brown patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FOURTEENTH ISSUE
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y.-BRONZE
SOM-14.3
Silver
73.0mm (2.87in)
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS FOURTEENTH ISSUE - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. - .999+ PURE SILVER