BÖHM, József Dániel
(1794, Szepesolaszi - 1865, Vienna)

Annual Meeting in Temesvár

1843
Chased bronze, 52 mm
Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest

The Society of Hungarian Physicians and Natural Scientists, founded in 1841, was one of the first of its kind in the world, and a medal was issued to commemorate each of its meetings, which were held annually in various towns of the country. József Dániel Boehm, a renowned master of classicist European coinage, designed the medal for the Annual Meeting Held in Temesvár in 1843. An antique female figure stands in a gracious posture on the obverse, surrounded by various objects representing the activities of the members: she holds a sphere decorated with circles, besides her there are a pair of binoculars, a retort, books, and a scroll on top of a pillar. Propped up against the pillar, there is an aesculap-cane ending in a serpent, symbolizing the science of medicine. The legend, Bring Happiness by Amelioration, emphasizes the importance of medicine and the natural sciences. On the obverse, within the double circular legend referring to the function of the medal, two standing horses hold the coat of arms of Temesvár. The antique figure depicted in an allegorical scene, the tranquility of the composition, the minutely detailed, fine workmanship, and the high rim are typical stylistic characteristics of Classicism.


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