Page 267 - Beholding Liberty!

HALL OF THE TROPHIES
II.6.5
Konrad Lange (1809-1856)
Medallion of Ioannis Kapodistrias, 1836
reverse: Allegorical representation of the reinstitution of Greece with the help of the three Great Powers obverse: Portrait of Ioannis Kapodistrias
signed: Κ. ΛΑΓΓΕ (front side)
inscribed: Ι • Α • ΚΑΠΟΔΙΣΤΡΙΑΣ – ΚΥΒΕΡΝΙΤΗΣ . [sic] (front side)
Ο ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΩΝ ΜΕΘ’ ΗΜΩΝ • 1828 (back side) bifacial bronze medallion, diameter 4.4 cm
Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 881
ONE OF THE SERIES of 12 elaborate bronze medals with figures and episodes of the Greek War of Independence published by Konrad Lange in 1836. The Bavarian engraver Lange came to Greece in 1834, during Otto’s reign, and worked at the Athens Mint until 1840.
On the verso, Greece is allegorically depicted as Hellas, surrounded by the three Great Powers (Britain, France, and Russia), which help her to
II.6.6
Konrad Lange (1809-1856) Medallion of Otto, 1836
stand up. All four figures are dressed in the antique style, in a fine arrangement and graceful relief. The inscription ‘Ο ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΩΝ ΜΕΘ’ ΗΜΩΝ’ (Lord of powers, be with us) comes from the Book of Psalms (Psalm 46:6-7). The symbolism of the image is a clear reference to the establishment of independent Greece. Accordingly, the year 1828 is given at the bottom; on the recto, a portrait of the governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, in profile, with idealised features.
reverse: The ambassadors to Greece hand to Otto the crown of Greece
obverse: Portrait of Otto, prince of Bavaria
signed: Κ. ΛΑΓΓΕ (front side)
inscribed: ΟΘΩΝ ΠΡΙΓΚΗΨ ΤΗΣ ΒΑΥΑΡΙΑΣ (front side) ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ – ΣΑΛΗΜ Ο ΕΣΤΙ – ΒΑΣΙΛ. ΕΙΡΗΝΗΣ • ΜΟΝΑΧΟΝ 3 • ΟΚΤ • / 1832 (back side)
bifacial bronze medallion, diameter 4.4 cm Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 888
ONE OF THE SERIES of 12 elaborate bronze medals with figures and episodes of the Greek War of Independence published by Konrad Lange in 1836. The Bavarian engraver Lange came to Greece in 1834, during Otto’s reign, and worked at the Athens Mint until 1840.
On the verso, an event that took place on October 3, 1832, in Munich – according to the date indicated at the bottom. Greek envoys Andreas Miaoulis,
Kostas Botsaris and Dimitris Plapoutas offer Otto of Bavaria the crown of Greece. The inscription ‘ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ – ΣΑΛΗΜ Ο ΕΣΤΙ – ΒΑΣΙΛ. ΕΙΡΗΝΗΣ’ comes from the Epistle to the Hebrews (Heb 7:2): ‘His name first means righteous king, and he was also “king of Salem,” that is, king of peace’.
On the recto, a portrait of Otto, Prince of Bavaria, in a fine depiction of his youthful, almost childlike, features.
SCENES AND FIGURES OF FREEDOM The Liberation 267