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This catalogue encompasses medals produced from the 16th century to the present that commemorate the artistic achievement of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564). Medals pictured are in the collection of A. Victor Coonin.The purpose of this project is to recognize and investigate the legacy of Michelangelo as seen through the unique medium of the medallic arts. The crowdsourcing of additional medals and information is highly encouraged and much appreciated. Please send new material to coonin@rhodes.edu
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Publication Michelangelo Medal issued by the city of Caprese, Italy, 1910(1910) AnonymousGeneral Description: In 1910 the city of Caprese modified its name to become officially Caprese Michelangelo. This medal is dated 11-IX-1910 (11th of November, 1910), which coincides with this event. The medal is unusual in the border design reminiscent of a decorative wreath. The obverse shows a ¾ bust of Michelangelo looking left and an inscription.The reverse inscription informs in honor of Michelangelo 11-IX-1910 and an inscription at 7:00.Publication Technical and Nautical Institutes of Livorno Medal(1870) Gori, LuigiArtist Biography: Luigi Gori (1838-ca.1921) was a Florentine medalist and coin engraver trained at the Accademia. He took part in making two Michelangelo medals issued during the celebrations of 1875. See those entries separately. This medal is known in silver and bronze.Publication Society of French Artists 1881 Salon Medal(1881) Busson, Louis Guillaume Charles (1822-1908)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.Publication Publication Medal Commemorating 400th Anniversary of Michelangelo's Death(1964) Manca, AlbinoGeneral Description: The Medallion is accompanied by a sheet that contains the following: "The Michelangelo Medal, commemorating one of the world;s greatest painters, sculptors, and architects, is the latest in the series of medals designed and executed by the distinguished sculptor Albino Manca. The obverse of the medal depicts the famous self-portrait of Michelangelo Buonarroti that hangs in Florence's Uffizi Gallery. Mr. Manca has rendered Michelangelo's likeness so sensitively that it conveys the brilliance, power and brooding tension of the Renaissance genius. On the reverse of the medal we see Michelangelo's two supreme accomplishments: the statue of David, which he carved out of a single block of marble and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, completed 30 years after his death. By placing the David in the axis of the Basilica so that the conquering youth appears to gaze wistfully at the cupola, Mr. Manca suggests Michelangelo's yearning to transcend his human limitations-- even his maimed and suffering face. This unique design thus captures Michelangelo's triumphant spirit. The medal was created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death.Publication Commemorative Medal for Students at the Academy at Hanau 1884(1844) Voigt, Karl (Carl) FriedrichGeneral Description: Voigt was responsible for designing several commemorative or prize medals and his Michelangelo medal was given as an award to art students at the Academy at Hanau starting in 1844. Voigt often signed his works C. Voigt, as in this example.Publication Round Uniface Medal, Late 19th century(1875) AnonymousGeneral Description: This is one of a pair of medals similar to those in the Robert James Eidlitz Collection at the American Numismatic Society. It is possible that they were produced in the same establishment. It dates from the late 19th century. Obverse Description: The obverse features a right-side portrait of Michelangelo. Above the portrait is an inscription that reads “MICHELANGELO”. Reverse Description: The reverse is concaved inward in the shape of the portrait on the obverse side. A small suspension ring is attached in the middle of the concave surface. Below the ring is the inscription “PR”, possibly the artist's initials. Historical Context: Artist Biography: Anonymous Bibliography:Publication Oval Uniface Medal, Late 19th Century(1875) AnonymousGeneral Description: This is one of a pair (with 57) of medals similar to those in the Robert James Eidlitz Collection at the American Numismatic Society. It is possible that they were produced in the same place.The spelling, Michelangiolo, is one of the variants of the artist's name popular in the 19th century. Obverse Description: The obverse features a profile portrait of Michelangelo facing right. To the left of the portrait is an inscription that reads "MICHELANGIOLO". Reverse Description: The reverse has a small suspension ring attached to the upper portion of the back side. The reverse is concave in the shape of the portrait on the obverse side. Historical Context: Artist Biography: Anonymous Bibliography: Information from RJE Collection reads "199. Uniface. Bust to right in brocaded coat. MICHELANGIOLO at left side. Oval 121 x 93 mm. Lead cast. RJE Collection. Plate 22"Publication Aftercast of medal by Giovanni Battista Cipriani (original ca. 1770)(1770) Cipriani, Giovanni BattistaHistorical Context:Publication Post WWI Medal for War Orphans featuring Michelangelo's David(1918) AnonymousGeneral Description: This medal was issued to raise money for war orphans shortly after WWI. Such medals were used by many other countries for the same cause and often featured famous artists or works of art.Publication Gold Prize Medal given to Raffaello Gianni for first place in drawing at the Florentine Academy of Fine Arts, 1852(1852) Santarelli, Giovanni AntonioGeneral Description: The medal was designed by Giovanni Antonio Santarelli (1758-1826). This gold medal was given to Raffaello Gianni by the Academia delle belle art of Florence as a winner in the triennial art competition in 1852. The edge bears the inscription "Designo. Premiato Raffaello Gianni A. 1852." This medal was awarded to Raffaello Gianni as first prize in the category of drawing for a depiction of "Moses causing water to flow from the rock to quench the Hebrew people in the dessert."Publication Commemorative medal for the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's birth, Italy, 1975(1975) Brolis, PieroGeneral Description:This medalwas issued in 1975 as a commemorative medal for the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's birth.Publication Commemorative medal honoring the 400th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo, Italy, 1964(1964) Moschi, MarioGeneral Description:This medal was issued in 1964 as a commemorative tool to honor the 400th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo by the Academy of the Art of Design of Michelangelo.Publication Commemorative medal for the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's birth comissioned by the S. Johnson Mint, Italy, 1975(1975) Molteni, M.General Description:This medalwas issued in 1975 by the S. Johnson Mint in Italy as a commemorative medal for the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo's birth.Publication Official commemorative medal honoring the 500th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo, issued by the Franklin Mint under the name "International Society of Postmakers," Wawa, Pennsylvania, 1975(1975) Rizzello, Michael GaspardGeneral Description: Trademark for the International Society of Postmasters was filed by the Franklin Mint in 1973, registered in 1976, and expired in 1996. It seems to have been a pure marketing play for the silver medal and cancelled postage stamp combination sold as a unit. On the envelope for the medal, the Franklin Mint writes, "In Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Michelangelo: This medallic first day cover pays tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time. It commemorates the 500th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo. The stamp affixed to the cover was chosen by the International Society of Postmakers as the most outstanding stamp issued anywhere in the world during April 1975. It portrays the 'Pitti Tondo,' a relief sculptured by Michelangelo in about 1506 and exhibited today in the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy. Known as a tondo because of it's circular frame, the relief takes it's name from Bartolommeo Pitti, who commissioned the work. In Michelangelo's monumental style, it shows the Virgin Mary with her left arm around the Christ child and with St. John the Baptist looking over her right shoulder. An official issue of 'Poste Italiane,' the stamp carries the Rome the first day of issue postmark of April 18, 1975. Combined with the stamp in the special commemorative cover is a sterling silver proof medal honoring the Michelangelo quincentennial. The distinguished Italian medallist Michael Rizello created the medallic portrait of Michelangelo. Rizello referred to Michelangelo's self-portraits to capture the facial features and expression of the great artist as he is about to begin a new sculpted work. Born on March 6, 1475, in the small village of Caprese near Florence, Michelangelo was in his 20s when he achieved fame with one of his best known masterpieces, the 'Pieta.' Completed later in his career, his Sistine Chapel frescoes depict the monumental story of creation and redemption. His magnificent marble statues of Moses and David are among the greatest works of art known to man."Publication Prize medal issued for students at the The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Dresden, ca. 1830(1830) Knoll and RiedenerGeneral Description: This is one of two 19th century prize medals in which Michelangelo shares the obverse. " The medal was given as a prize for students at the Art Academy beginning around 1830.Publication Medal from the series entitled SERIES NUMISMATICA VIRORUM ILLUSTRIUM (numismatic series of illustrious lives), 1819 [example 2](1819) Gayrard, RaymondGeneral Description: This medal belongs to a series entitled SERIES NUMISMATICA VIRORUM ILLUSTRIUM (numismatic series of illustrious lives). The series was begun in 1817/8 and issued (or edited) by Amédée Durand. Several different medalists made designs, and Raymond Gayrard (1777-1858) was responsible for Michelangelo's. The series attempted to portray a "universal" set of famous men. Out of about 150 individuals there was at least one woman (Catherine II) and two non-Europeans (Mohammet II and George Washington) but it was decidedly conservative and geared toward profit. The medals were noted for their exceptionally high quality of design and execution. The medals were initially struck between 1817-1826 at the French mint, which had a monopoly on striking medals. To circumvent this monopoly, Durand later shipped his dies to Munich for striking. These medals are marked MONACHII on the edge. By 1844 Durand had settled his dispute with the French mint and began striking medals in France again with edge markings of the French Mint (either the prow of a ship or a pointing hand) and the word CUIVRE (copper). This particular example has no edge marking, which indicates it was struck in France around 1819-26.Publication Uniface medal issued in Prague, unknown date, probably circa 1875(1875) Christlbauer, Joseph ChristianGeneral Description: Uniface medal with bust of Michelangelo facing right.Publication German medal issued by the Volkswanderung (walking club), Waldböckelheim, Germany, 1979(1979) Anonymous, GermanyGeneral Description: This medal was issued in Germany by the Volkswanderung (walking club) in 1979.Publication Commemorative medal, late 20th/early 21st century(2000) CortesGeneral Description: This medal was issued in 2000 as a commemorative medal.