The Opening of Vatican II [reverse]

1962

Giacomo Manzù

Associated Names
Giacomo Manzù

Medalist, Italian, 1908 - 1991

The image shows a circular sculpture, resembling a medallion, with two figures in long robes facing each other. One figure wears a papal tiara. The medallion bears the inscription "UNA SANCTA CATHOLICA APOSTOLICA" around the figures. The sculpture is made of a metallic material, likely bronze, with a slightly worn texture. Inscriptions below the figures read "MANZÙ" and "3CCHI INC." with the number "1006" to the right.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    silver

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Lisa Unger Baskin

  • Dimensions

    overall (diameter): 3.48 cm (1 3/8 in.)
    gross weight: 15.3 gr (0.034 lb.)
    axis: 12:00

  • Accession Number

    2002.146.9.b

Associated Artworks

The sculpture is a relief portrait of a mature man wearing a papal cap and a cloak. His face is depicted in profile, showing detailed facial features including a prominent nose and closed lips. The sculpture is crafted on a circular medal made of a material resembling bronze. Surrounding the relief portrait is an engraved inscription that reads "IOANNES XXIII PM INITO CONC OECUM VAT II MCMLXII." The combination of the circular shape of the medal and the relief makes it resemble a commemorative medallion.

John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, 1881-1963), Pope 1958 [obverse]

Giacomo Manzù

1962

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Purchased c. 1960/1985 by Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 2002 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2007

  • Pollard, John Graham. Renaissance Medals. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. 2 vols. Washington, 2007: 2:no. 869, repro.

Inscriptions

across medal, around and below the figures: UNA. / SANCTA / CATHO LICA / APOSTOLICA / MANZV' / 3CCHI INC.

Wikidata ID

Q63861797

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