Medal commissioned for the 400th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo as well as the display of Michelangelo's Pietà in New York at the Vatican Pavilion during the World's Fair of 1964-1965, 1964

Abstract

General Description: This medal was commissioned for two celebrations: the 400th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo, and the display of Michelangelo's Pietà in New York at the Vatican Pavilion during the World's Fair of 1964-1965. In May of 1972 the Pietà was vandalized and this medal was reissued, with part of the proceeds going towards the statue's restoration.

Obverse Description: The obverse feautures a portrait of Michelangelo with his birth and death dates and the inscription "1475 MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI 1564" with the artist name and date "ALBINO MANCA 1964" along the bottom.

Reverse Description: The reverse features a relief of Michelangelo's sculpture of the Christian Pieta, with the Virgin Mary holding a dead Jesus Christ in her arms. Surrounding this relief is the inscription "ROMA 1498 PIETA BY MICHELANGELO NEW YORK 1964."

Historical Context:

Artist Biography: The medal was designed by Albino Manca (1897-1976). Manca was a celebrated sculptor and medalist from Sardinia, where there is now a museum in his honor. For this medal, Manca won the J. Sanford Saltus Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal (awarded in 1966).

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