Portrait medallion of Adam Smith

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This portrait medallion of Adam Smith is by James Tassie. It is signed 1787.

This medallion is in opaque white glass on a grey background.

Adam Smith, 1723-1790, published 'An Inquiry into.... the Wealth of Nations' in 1776. In it he argued that self-interest is a part of human nature. Indeed, he suggested that it had ensured our progression from hunting and herding to capitalism.

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• Online ID: 000-000-099-960-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: Innovators and Innovations (multimedia essay)
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1894.153
• Date: 1787
  1791
  
• Material: Opaque white glass
  Medallion, portrait
  
• Dimensions: 92 mm x 70 mm
  
• What: Medallion, portrait
  
• Subject:
• Who: Adam Smith (subject)
  James Tassie (artist)
  
• Where: ENGLAND
  
• Event:
• Description: Framed portrait medallion of Adam Smith in profile facing right, in opaque white glass: English, signed and dated 1791, modelled by J. Tassie
  
• References:
  • Findlay, Ian: "Scottish Crafts", London (Harrap), 1948, Opp. p. 54 
  • Raphael, D.D. Adam Smith. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985
• Translations:
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