Medal given as a prize for achievement at the Academy in Florence, 1812

Abstract

General Description: The medal was designed by Giovanni Antonio Santarelli (1758-1826) in Florence. Santarelli was a professor at the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts and also worked in Milan, Parma, and Rome. This version of the medal was given as a prize for achievement at the Academy in Florence. The design was used on the reverse of a medal by Luigi Siries of 1772 and is still in use by the organization today. The original wax models for front and back both survive in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence. Other versions of the medal exist in Gold and bronze in various museums. The design was commissioned to be given as a triennial prize for sculpture commissioned by the Grand Duchess of Tuscany. The winners were: 1812 Francesco Pozzi; 1816 Leopold Lori; 1919 Luigi Pampaloni and Santarelli's son Emilio; 1822 Aristodemo Costou; 1825 Girolamo Torrini. These six examples were in vermeil (gilded silver or bronze). The portrait of Michelangelo became a standard for many other medals that followed. This version of the medal is in bronze.

Obverse Description: The obverse bears a right side profile portrait of Michelangelo surrounded by the inscription "MICHEL PIU CHE MORTAL ANGEL DIVINO" (Michael more than mortal, a divine angel)with artist name "SANTARVLLI" along the bottom.

Reverse Description: The reverse features three interlocking wreaths of the Florence Accademia. The surround includes the inscription "LEVEN DI TERRA AL CIEL NOSTR INTELLETTO / MDCCCXII."

Historical Context:

Artist Biography: The medal was designed by Giovanni Antonio Santarelli (1758-1826) in Florence. Santarelli was a professor at the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts and also worked in Milan, Parma, and Rome.

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