GOETZ: Pact of Malice K-160

cacheman

Opus 160 “PACT OF MALICE” Der Bund der Tücke) 1915, Cast AE, 80mm.

Inscription on Obververse: “Alliance of Crafty Spite 1915” Inscription on Reverse, “ Smite him dead! The Day of Judgement will not ask your reasons. H.v.Kleist.” Animals representing the powers of Entente, thus the cock-France, lions – Belgium and England, bear- Russia, snake – Serbia, chimera- Japan. Baby with Bersaglieri hat, sucking, is Italy.

Steve27

Super medal Scott, I particularly like the mixture of paws and claws on that beast.

ccrdragon

How poetic to have Italy suckling off the major powers! Beautiful medal!!!

laurentyvan

It's official-pact of malice is my favorite Goetz! This medal has everything going for it-eye appeal, subject matter, you name it-thanks for showing it!.

cosmicdebris

I love this one!

elverno

Great photography as well!

JohnZ

Alliance of Crafty Spite indeed. Did Goetz mean that sarcastically or angrily, or maybe a little of both?

What were his sentiments about WWI anyway? Sorry for stupid question from someone who doesn't know from Goetz.

eureka

Very nice medal.

1jester

Awesome medal, Cacheman!!!

oldshep

Scott - This has got to be one of your best finds - what a great work of art and satire all in one. Thanks
Shep

cacheman

<< <i>What were his sentiments about WWI anyway? Sorry for stupid question from someone who doesn't know from Goetz. >>



Not a stupid question at all. Each time I purchase a new medal I have to run to my German library to research what event Goetz was lampooning. I have yet to do this for this one.

This medal fits into the "Satirical Medals" period of Goetz' which ranged from Opus 131 through Opus 306 and covered the years 1913 to 1923. In these medals Goetz sometimes depicted war events in an intentionally damaging fashion. But much of his work proves him to be a man of sentiments who understood and sympathized with his fellow man. A satirist is a man who employees humor as one means to an end, but not as the end itself. In satire laughter is a weapon used to ridicule and to evoke moral indignation. Goetz used humor to criticise, good-naturedly or otherwise, people and institutions he felt needed criticism. Some of his medals are very bitter, if not too bitter, yet they alwys illustrated the true feelings in Germany (Dr. Bockwitz, Kienast pp.19)

laurentyvan

Satire, irony, farce, all legitimate methods of making a point. Goetz is sometimes a little strident, however, almost cruel and at times fanatical in his depiction of circumstances. None of this detracts in any way from his medals, the latest of which is magnificent.