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Cardinal Mercier Medal

Period1926

MediumBronze

Dimensions0.13 × 2.63 in. (0.3 × 6.7 cm)

SignedThe medal is signed by the artist twice, on the obverse "J. P. LEGASTELOIS" along the bottom edge, and on the reverse 'J. P. LEGASTELOIS" along the bottom edge. The cornucopia mark of the Paris Mint and "BRONZE" are stamped along the rim edge of the medal.

ClassificationsThe Robert Hartshorne World War I Collection

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

Object number2018.10.20.19

DescriptionA circular medal of struck bronze with a bust relief of Cardinal Desire Mercier (1851 - 1926) facing right, with "SON EMINENCE LE CARDINAL MERCIER / ARS QUE DE MALINES / PRIMAT DE BELGIQUE" circling the outer edge of the face. On the reverse, a lion crouches at the foot of Christ on the cross, with the city of Mechelen in the background. The inscription "RESURRECTION" appears beneath the lion's feet.
Curatorial RemarksDesire-Felicien-Francois-Joseph Mercier was born in 1851 and ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1874. He was a recognized scholar and his book Les Origines de la Psychologie Contemporaine, published in 1897, was widely read. Mercier was appointed the Archbishop of Mechelen and the Primate of Belgium in 1906 and a Cardinal in 1907. During Germany's brutal occupation of Belgium during the First World War, Mercier was known for his unyielding resistance. After Germany's invasion, Mercier wrote a pastoral letter to be read in all the churches in his diocese, urging patriotism, resistance, and endurance. Priests who read the letter in public were arrested, and Mercier was placed under house arrest. His appeals to the world were smuggled out of Belgium and resulted in mass rallies and demonstrations, even in the neutral United States. After the war, Mercier visited New York City as part of larger tour to raise money for war-torn Belgium. Cardinal Mercier died in 1926. Sculptor and artist Jules-Prosper-Joseph-Marie-Edmond Legastelois was born in Paris in 1855. He studied under Eugene Levasseur, Emile Carlier, Oscar Roty, and Georges Tonneier. Legastelois received numerous medals and awards during his career as a celebrated Art Nouveau sculptor and medalist, including silver and bronze medals at the Universal Exposition of 1889. Legastelois died in Paris in 1931. Please see accession numbers 2018.10.20.2 and 2018.10.20.12 for other medals by Legastelois.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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