Images(2)

Strasbourg On Les A Medal

Period1919

MediumBronze

Dimensions2.63 × 1.75 × 0.13 in. (6.7 × 4.4 × 0.3 cm)

SignedThe artist's name "Emile / Monier" appears in the far lower right corner on the obverse side of the medal. The Paris Mint's cornucopia mark and "BRONZE" are stamped along the rim of the bottom 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 number2018.10.20.10

DescriptionA rectangular medal of struck bronze, depicting a full-length French soldier gazing towards the left, holding a rifle in his left hand, his right arm at his side. In the upper right corner is the phrase "ON LES A." On the reverse, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is depicted, with "STRASBOURG - MDCCCCXVIII" along the bottom edge. The Paris Mint's cornucopia mark and "BRONZE" is stamped along the bottom rim edge of the medal.
Curatorial RemarksThis bold and simple medal was designed by sculptor and medallist Emile Adolphe Monier (1883 - 1970) to commemorate the return of the Alsace region to France after World War I. The area came under heavy attack by the Prussian army during the Franco-German War of 1870 - 1871. At that time, the region was annexed by Germany after a fifty-day siege. After the Treaty of Versailles, the area returned to French control. Strasbourg Cathedral, constructed between 1176 and 1439, is considered to be one of the finest examples of High Gothic architecture. For more than two hundred years, between 1647 and 1874, it was the tallest building in the world. During the first World War, it remained in operation. The brief but inspiring phrase "On Les A" is a reference to the words "On les aura," ("We will have them") included in Marshal Henri-Phillippe Petain's orders during the defense of Verdun between February and December of 1916.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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