George D. Widener Memorial Medal, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Albert Laessle, George D. Widener Memorial Medal, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1916, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1971.118.1
Copied Albert Laessle, George D. Widener Memorial Medal, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1916, bronze, 182 in. (0.35.2 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle, 1971.118.1

Artwork Details

Title
George D. Widener Memorial Medal, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Date
1916
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
182 in. (0.35.2 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of the heirs of Albert Laessle: Mrs. Albertine de Bempt Laessle, Mr. Albert M. Laessle and Mr. Paul Laessle
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Keywords
  • Portrait male — Widener, George D. — bust
Object Number
1971.118.1

Artwork Description

George D. Widener was from a prominent Philadelphia family of financiers and horse breeders. He died on the Titanic with his youngest son in 1912, and this medal was created in his memory. For generations the Wideners have supported art education at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where the Widener Memorial Medal is awarded annually to sculptors. On the reverse of Albert Laessle's medal a nude figure kneels beside a sphinx and holds a mallet and chisel, associating the prizewinner's work with thousands of years of sculpture.