Society of French Artists 1881 Salon Medal

Abstract

General Description: This medal was awarded to Louis Guillaume Charles Busson, known as Charles Busson (1822-1908), for serving as the vice-president of the painting jury for the Society of French Artists. He served on this jury with Cabanel and Bonnat. Busson was a French painter best known for his landscapes. He was father of George Louis Charles Busson (1859-1933), who also became a significant French painter. Charles exhibited widely and was often decorated, including becoming a Knight of the Legion of Honour (1866) and then Officer (1887). He was a founding member of the Society of French Artists, served as juror at the 1873 French Salon.

Obverse Description: The obverse features a profile portrait of Michelangelo facing right with the word "LEO" on the bottom left corner of his profile. Text around the edge of the medal reads "88-MICHAELANGELVS-BONARROTVS-FLO-R-AES-ANN".

Reverse description: Text in the center of the medal reads "A / MR. BUSSON / MEMBRE / DU COMITE ET DU / CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRATION / VICE - PRESIDENT / DU JURY / DE PEINTURE." Text around the edge of the medal reads "SOCIETE DES ARTISTES FRANCAIS POUR L'EXPOSITION DES BEAUX-ARTS EN 1881."

Historical Context:

Artist Biography: Louis Guillaume Charles Busson, known as Charles Busson (1822-1908) was a French painter best known for his landscapes. He was father of George Louis Charles Busson (1859-1933), who also became a significant French painter. Charles exhibited widely and was often decorated, including becoming a Knight of the Legion of Honour (1866) and then Officer (1887). He was a founding member of the Society of French Artists, served as juror at the 1873 French Salon and served as vice-president of the painting jury (with Cabanel and Bonnat) in 1881, for which this medal was conferred. For further description of the medal see the entry for Emile Boilvin.

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