Images(2)

Belgian War Orphans Medal

Period1919

MediumBronze

Dimensions0.13 × 2.25 in. (0.3 × 5.7 cm)

SignedThe medal is signed twice by the artist; on the obverse, "Jesue Dupon" appears beneath the pair of portraits, while on the reverse, "Jesue Dupon" appears along the bottom edge.

ClassificationsThe Robert Hartshorne World War I Collection

Credit LineGift of Mary Minturn Adams in memory of her Hartshorne Ancestors, 2018

Object number2018.10.20.17

DescriptionA circular medal struck in bronze, with its obverse depicting the profiles of King Albert I of Belgium and his Queen, Elisabeth of Bavaria, looking left. The inscription "LL MM LE ROI ET LA REINE DES BELGES" runs along the edge of the medal. On the reverse, a banner with the inscription "COR NOBILE AFFLICITIS OPITULATUM" centers over the emblems of a crown, a flaming heart, and a hand above the central inscription "SECOURS / AUX / ORPHELINS / DE LA / GUER [sic] / 'STEUN AAN DE / WEEZEN / VAN DEN ORLOG." A sword and a war baton cross in the center, partially obscuring the inscription. Below, a high relief profile of a small child in close-fitting cap looks right. Thorny branches border the bottom half of the medal.
Curatorial RemarksThis medal was designed and created by sculptor and medallist Josue Dupon. Born in Belgium in 1864, Dupon was best known for his highly accomplished sculptures of animals, including pieces he created for the Antwerp Zoo. Dupon died in 1935 and was posthumously awarded a bronze medal in the arts competition of the 1936 Olympic Games for his Equestrian medal designs. On the front of Dupon's medal, the images of King Albert I of Belgium (1875 - 1934) and his consort Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria (1876 - 1965) are depicted. Albert, who was related through his mother to Germany's king Wilhelm II, married Elisabeth in 1900. The couple had three children. In 1909, Albert ascended the throne of Belgium. In 1914, he refused Germany's demand for safe passage through Belgium to attack France. In retaliation, Germany invaded Belgium. Albert took control of his army and held off advancing German troops long enough for Great Britain and France to gather their forces for the Battle of the Marne in 1914. During the war, Albert stayed with his troops while his wife served as a battlefield nurse. Throughout the war, Elisabeth visited their children in England, smuggling messages from her husband to the British Government. While very little information has been uncovered about the circumstances surrounding the creation of this medal, it is clear that Dupon's design commemorates the plight of war orphans during and after the conflict and honors the dedication and bravery of the royal couple. The Association also has a small pendant medallion based upon Dupon's larger medal (accession number 2018.10.20.37.)NotesThis medal was collected by Robert Hartshorne during his service in the First World War. Hartshorne joined the American Red Cross in 1916. His association with that organization apparently put him in touch with the American Committee for Devastated France, which intended to introduce modern American farming methods in those battlefield areas heavily damaged near Rheims. Hartshorne arrived in France in May of 1918 and returned to the United States at the end of December the same year. Hartshorne collected numerous medals, uniform insignia, and souvenirs commemorating his time abroad. For a more complete biography of Robert Hartshorne, please see the portrait miniature of Robert Hartshorne (accession number 2018.10.9).

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