"Man Must Sow to Reap" by Donal Hord

Man Must Sow to Reap 1950
by Donal Hord
SOM-41.1
Golden bronze with deep olive-brown patina
SOM-41.5
Silver

This medal was chosen as the 41st issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1950.

The obverse bears kneeling American Indian sowing with digging stick; spirits veiling moonlight above. Below, MAN MUST SOW

The reverse bears American Indian seated in solar circle on rainbow holding two ears of corn; fields of ripe corn below. Between corn stalks, TO / REAP; to right, D H / ©

Hord devoted much time to studying ancient and modern Mexican art, spending a full year in Mexico. His choice of a Native American subject came as no surprise to people who knew his work.

In the brochure accompanying the medal Hord wrote:

"The corn planters of America were responsible for the great pre-columbian civilizations and the survival of the early European migrants—hence the Amerindian planting with digging stick in hand on the obverse side. A license was taken in the background— portraying literally 'dark of the moon,' the favorite planting time of our white forebears. The reverse side, the sun above the rainbow, personifies the moisture and heat bringing to fruition the planter's efforts."

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. Its reported mintage is 725 pieces in bronze.

SOM-41.1
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Golden bronze with deep olive-brown patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 41ST ISSUE 1950 - DONALD HORN, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-41.2
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Red-gold bronze with light tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 41ST ISSUE 1950 - DONALD HORN, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-41.3
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Red-gold bronze with light tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 41ST ISSUE 1950 - DONALD HORD, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-41.4
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Red-gold bronze with light tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 41ST ISSUE 1950 - DONALD HORD, SCULPTOR
MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY, CONN
SOM-41.5
Silver
73.0mm (2.87in)
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 41ST ISSUE 1950 - DONALD HORD, SCULPTOR - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700
© MEDALLIC ART CO. DANBURY, CT. .999 FINE SILVER