Artist Name

You can click on the medals to see the reverse.

• Dancers - Bathers 1962

  by Oronzio Maldarelli

  

  SOM-65.1

  Red-gold bronze with matte brown patina

  

  SOM-65.3

  Silver

  This medal was chosen as the 65th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1962.

  The obverse bears three female nudes dancing. Above right, DANCERS

  The reverse bears three female nudes in water with beach ball. Above left, B-A-T-H-E-R-S; in right corner of exergue OM © '52

  Italian-born Maldarelli created the first SOM medal composed in an entirely modern style. While not everyone was happy about the modernistic representation of the female body, overall the reception drew surprisingly little criticism. Maybe Maldarelli's message of "art for art's sake" was appreciated. In his "Message from the Artist" Maldarelli wrote:

  "As its function is not to memorialize a specific subject, I hope it will be interpreted and accepted as a piece of sculpture and perhaps enjoyed as such."

  While the style might have been modern, the message was remarkably traditional. That must have resonated with Society members who had at that point seen several commemorative medals in the series and, in general, favored pure art.

  This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported production quantity of this medal is 915 in bronze, an unknown number in silver.

  SOM-65.1

  Bronze

  73.0mm (2.87in)

  Red-gold bronze with matte brown patina

  THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 65TH ISSUE - MAY 1962 ORONZIO MALDARELLI, SC.(C)

  MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE

  SOM-65.2

  Bronze

  73.0mm (2.87in)

  Golden bronze with dark metallic brown patina

  THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 65TH ISSUE - MAY 1962 ORONZIO MALDARELLI, SC.(C)

  MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY. CONN

  SOM-65.3

  Silver

  73.0mm (2.87in)

  THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS SIXTYFIFTH ISSUE - ONE OF LIMITED ISSUE OF 700

  MEDALLIC ART CO.-DANBURY. CT.-.999 FINE SILVER

  Last modified: 18 Jul 2015