In September 2008, the director of the Villa Medici, Frédéric Mitterrand, commissioned me to design and produce its new medal.
On 5 December 2008, Frédéric Mitterrand's first official duty as director of the Academy of France in Rome was to present the first Villa Medici medal of honour to Rita Levi-Montalcini, holder of the Nobel prize for medicine and president of the Fondazione EBRI.

The ceremony was attended by the president of the Italian Republic, Mr Giorgio Napolitano, the French ambassador to Italy, His Excellence Jean-Marc de La Sablière, and numerous prominent figures. The award is intended as a token of deep esteem and gratitude for the work of the Italian scientist, who is now a life-time senator in her country.

Lire la suite