MODERNO (ltal.). Sculptor and Medallist of the end of the fifteenth century and first half of the sixteenth. Eug. Müntz has suggested his identification with GIOVANNI GUERINO, Mint-engraver at Rome, 1548-1549 (Vide Vol. II, p. 336), but Molinier seems nearer the truth in naming CAMELIO (Vittore Gambello), a Venetian artist, 1460-1539, with whose works Moderno's productions bear great analogy. It is quite clear that MODERNO is only a cognomen, as L'ANTICO which designated the Medallist Pier Giacomo Ilario. The signatures OPVS MODERNI ; — M. F. ; — MODERNVS ; — MODERNO ; — O. MODERNI ; —HOC. OPVS. MODERNI. CC. ;— OPVS MODERNI and goldsmith's stamp : CA occur on Plaques which belong to the latter end of the fifteenth century, and connected in style with the Paduan and Venetian schools. Molinier states that on the della Rana gate of Como cathedral, which gate was chased in 1507 by Tommaso and Jacopo Rodari, we find the exact reproductions of two of Moderno's plaques : Hercules contemplating Antaeus lying dead at his feet, and Hercules fighting Geryon. In Francis of Holland's Treatise (1549) Moderno is mentioned as an Engraver of leaden seals (papal bullae), which proves that the artist also worked at Rome. From the evidence of Moderno's productions, we conjecture that the artist was a native of Northern Italy (Camelio was a Venetian), that he was engaged in pontifical service (Camelio was Zecchiere under Leo X., circ. 1515), and that his signature OPVS MODERNI C. C. or CA might be interpreted into OPVS MODERNI Cognomine Camelii or Cameli. Molinier s hypothesis has not, so far as I am aware, been refuted by more recent commentators. Bibliography. — E. Molinier, Les Plaquettes, Paris, 1886. — Armand, op. cit. — E. Müntz, L'atelier monétaire de Rome, 1884. — Raczynski, Les Arts en Portugal. — Dr Julius Cahn, Die Medaillen und Plaketten der Sammlung W. P. Metzler, 1898. — Fortnum, Bronzes in the South Kensington Museum, 1861. — Bode, Die italienischen Bronzen, Berlin, 1904.
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
Source: Biographical dictionary of medallists; coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, ancient and modern, with references to their works B.C. 500-A.D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer, London 1904
MERLEY, LOUIS
MERLEY, LOUIS (French). Sculptor, Medallist and Gem-engraver, born at St. Etienne (Loire) on 7th January 1815, died at Paris on 17th September 1883. He studied sculpture under Pradier and David d'Angers, and medal-engraving under Galle. In 1838 he became a pupil at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts ; then went to Rome, where he obtained in 1843 the first Grand Prix de Rome for gem-engraving; subject : Arion saved from the waters. During his residence in Italy, Merley executed various medals modelled af...
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MERLEY, LOUIS (French). Sculptor, Medallist and Gem-engraver, born at St. Etienne (Loire) on 7th January 1815, died at Paris on 17th September 1883. He studied sculpture under Pradier and David d'Angers, and medal-engraving under Galle. In 1838 he became a pupil at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts ; then went to Rome, where he obtained in 1843 the first Grand Prix de Rome for gem-engraving; subject : Arion saved from the waters. During his residence in Italy, Merley executed various medals modelled af...
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MERRIAM, JOSEPH H.
MERRIAM, JOSEPH H. (Amer.). Die-sinker and Medallist at Boston (U. S. A.), second half of the nineteenth century. He is the author of a medal struck in commemoration of the Dedication of the New Masonic Temple in Boston, 1867, and several other masonic medallions with bust of George Washington; — Benjamin Franklin, &c. ; — also commemorative medals of the Soldiers' Fair at Springfield and Boston, 1864; — Medalets issued for the Campaign of 1860; — Medalets with portraits of U. S. A. Presidents, ...
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MERRIAM, JOSEPH H. (Amer.). Die-sinker and Medallist at Boston (U. S. A.), second half of the nineteenth century. He is the author of a medal struck in commemoration of the Dedication of the New Masonic Temple in Boston, 1867, and several other masonic medallions with bust of George Washington; — Benjamin Franklin, &c. ; — also commemorative medals of the Soldiers' Fair at Springfield and Boston, 1864; — Medalets issued for the Campaign of 1860; — Medalets with portraits of U. S. A. Presidents, ...
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MERTENS, A.
MERTENS, A. (Germ.). Contemporary Sculptor and Medallist, who resided at Berlin from about 1851 to 1871, and worked for the Loos Die-sinking Works. He died sometime before 1894. By this Engraver are some medals of special interest to English collectors as they commemorate, the one, the Silver Wedding of the Crown Prince Frederick and Victoria, Princess Royal of England, 1883 ; and the other, the Women's Industrial Exhibition at Berlin, 1885 (Prize Medal with bust of the Crown Princess of Prussia...
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MERTENS, A. (Germ.). Contemporary Sculptor and Medallist, who resided at Berlin from about 1851 to 1871, and worked for the Loos Die-sinking Works. He died sometime before 1894. By this Engraver are some medals of special interest to English collectors as they commemorate, the one, the Silver Wedding of the Crown Prince Frederick and Victoria, Princess Royal of England, 1883 ; and the other, the Women's Industrial Exhibition at Berlin, 1885 (Prize Medal with bust of the Crown Princess of Prussia...
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MESDACH, LOUIS
MESDACH, LOUIS (Dutch). One of the Directors of the important Die-sinking establishments of OESCHGER, MESDACH & C° (q. v.) later (1881) ESCHGER, GHESQUI?RE & Cie, at Ter Kiele (Holland) and Biache (Pas-de-Calais, France). At one time, this firm owned private mints in Spain, and between circ. 1865-1890, issued medals as well as various coinages in commission for foreign governments. In 1868 the artist Alphée Dubois was in their employ, and during a year's residence at Barcelona, modelled for the...
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MESDACH, LOUIS (Dutch). One of the Directors of the important Die-sinking establishments of OESCHGER, MESDACH & C° (q. v.) later (1881) ESCHGER, GHESQUI?RE & Cie, at Ter Kiele (Holland) and Biache (Pas-de-Calais, France). At one time, this firm owned private mints in Spain, and between circ. 1865-1890, issued medals as well as various coinages in commission for foreign governments. In 1868 the artist Alphée Dubois was in their employ, and during a year's residence at Barcelona, modelled for the...
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