GOETZ: Opus 151

cacheman

Opus 151: CROWN PRINCE WILHELM OF GERMANY (Jung-Siegfried) 1915, Cast AE, 85mm, Inscription on the reverse, “Young Sigfried 1914-1915.” G.F. Hill observes on this medal: “…Nothing but a failure of the authorities to see the significance of the contrast between the relentless portrait on the obverse and the Wagnarian hero on the reverse can account for the omission to prosecute the artist for lese-majeste: the more so as the dragon, in spite of the hero’s theatrical efforts, is still intact in all her features…”

Somewhat sly portrait of Wilhelm on the obverse showing him in Prussian Hussar's uniform and on the reverse as a mythical Germanic warrior wielding a huge ancient war sword against a hydra-headed dragon with the heads of a Unicorn (England), a Rooster (France), a Bear (Russia) and a skraggly Lion (Belgium). Very famous WW.1 medal. Popular because of the write up it got by the great British numismatist & curator G.H.Hill during WW.1 in his monograph on Germany's use of propaganda medals during wartime.

1jester

I"m speechless. It's beautiful!

cacheman

Just arrived today from Germany along with the Opus 27 that i am working on now...

laurentyvan

Another beauty-how many of his 163 satirical medals do you own now?

trozau

cacheman

Goetz's "satiricals" range from Opus 131 to Opus 306 and the years 1913 to 1923. This does not mean that other commissioned portrait pieces or gift medals were not created during this time period. I currently own 28 pieces within the time frame.

Askari

Should keep you pretty busy, eh? Nice Crown Prince medal!!

cosmicdebris

I just love all the multiple headed beast he portrays.