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France - 1804

Le Musée Napoléon, Salle du Laocoon Le Musée Napoléon, Salle du Laocoon

Obverse:

Head, same as preceding.

Size:

34 mm.

Reverse:

an internal perspective view of the hall appropriated for the reception of the antique statue of the Laocoon and other statues; among which, are easily recognised, from the correctness and delicacy of the workmanship, the statue of Pallas de Velletri, and the colossal Ceres: these are in the front, one on each side; the bust of Serapis and Minerva, the statue of Bacchus, &c. and the Laocoon in the centre, at the extremity of the hall.

Exergue:

MUSÉE NAPOLÉON. ANDRIEU F. DENON D.

Laskey:

This medal will require no farther elucidation than what is to be found in the description of the preceding medal.

Edwards:

Edwards - 66

Plate V. No. 5

31st December, 1804.

Medal.

Head of Napoleon.

R. Napoleon Museum.

Saloon of the Laocoon.

Laureated head of Napoleon, to the right. Beneath: ANDRIEU F. (fecit).

R. View of one of the saloons of the museum of the Louvre. In the distance the Laocoon group. On one of the arches, R. F. (Republique Francaise—French Republic); above, the three Graces. Exergue: MUSÉE NAPOLÉON. On the bar of the exergue ANDRIEU F. (fecit). DENON D. (direxit). [34"]

Paris Medal Mint.

The Museum, or Gallery of Antiquities at the Louvre (Galerie Des Antiques au Louvre), was in great part composed of statues and other monuments, the fruits of the conquests of the army of Italy in 1797; and collected, agreeably to the treaty of Tolentino, by Berthollet, Moitte, Monge, Thouin and Tinet, commissioners named by the Government for the collection of objects of science and art. This museum was first opened to the public on the 18th Brumaire, year IX. (9th Nov. 1800). Above of the door, on the outside, was placed a colossal bust of Napoleon, whose name was given to the museum itself at a later period. The antiques exhibited, to the number of 184, were distributed in the following galleries or saloons: saloon of the Emperors; saloon of the Seasons; saloon of Illustrious Men; saloon of the Romans, (where were the Vestal of the Capitol, the Dying Gladiator, and the Torso Belvedere); saloon of the Laocoon (where, near this celebrated group, was the Venus de' Medici); the saloon of Apollo (where was also the Antinous Belvedere); and the saloon of Diana. At the beginning of 1814 this museum contained 254 antiques: in 1815 the most precious of them were taken away by the powers then allied against France.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 367
Musée du Louvre, salle de Laocoon. (Andrieu.)

Tête de Napoléon laurée, à droite.

Rev: Vue d'une des salles du Musée du Louvre. Dans le fond, le groupe du Laocoon; sur un Des cintres. R. F. au-dessus, les trois Grâces.

Exergue: MUSÉE NAPOLÉON

Sur la barre d'exergue: ANDRIEU F. DENON D.

Médaille, 34 mm. - T. N. 5, 5; M. F. 348, 6 bis.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1045
Musée Napoléon du Louvre (Andrieu).

Tête laurée de Nap. à dr.

R. Vue de la salle du Laocoon.

(TN. 5.5 - M. 77 - B. 367) Arg. et br. 34 mm.