American Art Collaborative

When Thomas George Hodgkins donated funds to the Smithsonian in October 1891, he stipulated the creation of an award to recognize scientific pursuits. Secretary of the Smithsonian Samuel P. Langley initially selected Olin Levi Warner to design a medal similar to the plaster version shown here. But Langley and Warner argued over the final design, and French artist Jules Clement Chaplain was ultimately hired to sculpt the obverse. The portrait appearing in this plaster is likely that of Joseph Henry, first secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who presided from 1846 until his death in 1878