Summary

Michael Meszaros' first medal, a portrait of his father Andor Mészáros. The medal was modelled and first produced as a cast medal of about 130 mm diameter at the family studio in Kew in 1959. Michael was 13 years old and completed it in his free time after school. The cast medal was later reduced and struck as this medal in 1960.

Physical Description

Polished bronze struck medal with the head of a man facing left. The reverse is blank.

Obverse Description

Portrait of Andor Meszaros in profile. Text around; 'ANDOR MESZAROS SCULPTOR / AETATIS SUAE LVIII (trans. IN THE YEAR OF HIS AGE 58). Michael / Meszaros 1959'.

Reverse Description

Plain

Significance

Marking the beginning of Michael Meszaros' career as a sculptor, this medal is a portrait of Andor Mészáros through the eyes of his son. It is also the link between the generations of an artistic family and documents the continuation of the Meszaros medal tradition in Australia.

For over half a century, sculptors Andor (1900-1972) and Michael (1945- ) Meszaros have created medals that reflect the high points of life in Australia. From major awards and portraits of eminent Australians to artwork celebrating popular culture and the natural world, these objects illuminate our culture and history. Grounded in a centuries-old European art tradition, the medals create connections across disciplines and link such diverse subjects as scientific advances, religious themes, sport, the performing arts and motherhood. Through their public and private commissions and their personal artworks, the Meszaros sculptors have defined the modern Australian medal.

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