Summary

Bronze art medal of the Resurrection. Designed by Michael Meszaros and minted by Royal Australian Mint, Canberra, 1981.

This medal is an addition to the Stations of the Cross series (also known as the Canterbury Series) designed by Michael Meszaros' father, Andor. A client purchased a large-scale set of the Canterbury Series after Andor's death, and remarked to Michael Meszaros that theological thinking now included the Resurrection in the Stations of the Cross. Meszaros designed this medal in the style of his father's work to represent the final station in the expanded series. It was struck in bronze and silver in two sizes.

Physical Description

Round, heavy medal, bronze in colour with a flat rim slightly wider than medal thickness. One side is plain; the other side has the figure of Christ in long robe , a head with a pointed chin looking upwards at about 45o from the horizontal with arms bent at elbows on either side of body and out- stretched. Around bottom of coin at Christ's feet is a dead man lying mouth wide open, wearing a loin cloth only.

Significance

For over half a century, sculptors Andor (1900-1973) 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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