Question: What type of art is required of models for coins and medals?

Answer: Relief. Sculpture Review in their issue out this week (Spring 2016) devotes the entire issue to relief. The term is also called "bas-relief" by sculptors preparing models (the "s" is silent). For numismatists this is the device and lettering the entire surface on one side of a coin or medal.

The bi-monthly magazine of glyptic art's keystone article notes the vast scope of relief from hand-held medals to multi-story architectural motifs. It is illustrated by a dozen of these and David Smith's 10 3/8-inch Medal of Dishonor.

Six articles follow, first of which is an interview of master medallist Eugene Daub, who reveals his views of this special art plus review of four medallists he admires. This is illustrated by the wide use of medallic compositions, gem stones to polychrome figures, the multitude of shapes and fabrication. In addition a conventional medal or two is shown.

Two articles by Wolfgang Mobry discuss the narrative and the liner form of relief objects. Cory Gillilland's article covers FIDEM, the international medal art organization, illustrated with a wide variety of medallic art exhibited at their bi-annual exhibitions.

Artist and New York medallic promoter Mashiko highlights medallic art worldwide by notable works by artists from eleven countries. In addition to unusual shapes these exhibit patinas in medallic colors in her article titled "The Fascination of Medallic Art."

Anyone interested in art medals should get a copy of this issue -- for the excellent illustrations alone! Contact National Sculpture Society either at their website or 75 Varick Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10013. Single copy price $6.95. (If that address sounds familiar, it is also the address of American Numismatic Society, they share the 11th floor.)

To visit the National Sculpture Society web site, see:
http://nationalsculpture.org/