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Posted 03/01/2025 4:14 pm
School Art League of New York City Alexander Medal. MACO # 1915 - 002. Designed by John Flanagan -- best known for the design of the 1932 Washington quarter dollar -- it's 2.75", bronze, smooth edge, uniface.
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* The St. Gaudens Medal is awarded to a graduating senior who has completed an art program with excellence in drawing. The Haney Medal is awarded to a ninth or tenth grade student who has shown the most growth and potential in the field of art.
Curiosity about my example's named recipient produced an internet search which identified an Army Air Forces Second Lieutenant named Leonard R. Getuan, of New York, NY, who was killed in action 23 February 1944. Getuan and 7 others were shot down while on the crew of a B-24 Liberator (#41-29213), 450th Bomber Group, Heavy, 723rd Bomber Squadron. Getuan is listed as the Navigator. Based in Fogia, Italy, the aircraft ( "Round Trip Rosie" ) was on a bombing mission targeting ball-bearing works in Steyr, Austria, when it was damaged by enemy flak and crashed near Grunau, Oberosterreich. https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/399996/ It was one of 14 B-24's lost in action that same date: ( Source: https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/type/b24/9 ). Of course, we can't be 100% certain the "Leonard Getuan " of the medal is the same man who lost his life in World War II 8 years later without additional research. . .
(Quoted text = AI)
Quote:
The Alexander Medal is a bronze medal awarded by the School Art League of New York City to a graduating senior in each high school who has completed a major art program with distinction. Given its namesake, John White Alexander -- a prominent American painter and the League's first president -- the design might reflect his legacy or artistic style, which leaned toward elegant, flowing compositions and symbolic portraiture. The obverse (front) could feature a relief portrait of Alexander or an allegorical figure representing art, such as a muse or a student with artistic tools (e.g., a brush or palette), rendered in the low-relief style typical of early 20th-century commemorative medals.
Founded in 1909, the organization focused on supporting visual arts education for New York City public school students, and awarding medals became a key component of its efforts to honor talented young artists. Historical references suggest that the practice of presenting medals -- such as the Alexander Medal, St. Gaudens Medal *, and Haney Medal * -- likely began early in its history, possibly within its first decade, as it aligned with its goal of encouraging and celebrating student excellence in art.
The Alexander Medal is a bronze medal awarded by the School Art League of New York City to a graduating senior in each high school who has completed a major art program with distinction. Given its namesake, John White Alexander -- a prominent American painter and the League's first president -- the design might reflect his legacy or artistic style, which leaned toward elegant, flowing compositions and symbolic portraiture. The obverse (front) could feature a relief portrait of Alexander or an allegorical figure representing art, such as a muse or a student with artistic tools (e.g., a brush or palette), rendered in the low-relief style typical of early 20th-century commemorative medals.
Founded in 1909, the organization focused on supporting visual arts education for New York City public school students, and awarding medals became a key component of its efforts to honor talented young artists. Historical references suggest that the practice of presenting medals -- such as the Alexander Medal, St. Gaudens Medal *, and Haney Medal * -- likely began early in its history, possibly within its first decade, as it aligned with its goal of encouraging and celebrating student excellence in art.
* The St. Gaudens Medal is awarded to a graduating senior who has completed an art program with excellence in drawing. The Haney Medal is awarded to a ninth or tenth grade student who has shown the most growth and potential in the field of art.
Curiosity about my example's named recipient produced an internet search which identified an Army Air Forces Second Lieutenant named Leonard R. Getuan, of New York, NY, who was killed in action 23 February 1944. Getuan and 7 others were shot down while on the crew of a B-24 Liberator (#41-29213), 450th Bomber Group, Heavy, 723rd Bomber Squadron. Getuan is listed as the Navigator. Based in Fogia, Italy, the aircraft ( "Round Trip Rosie" ) was on a bombing mission targeting ball-bearing works in Steyr, Austria, when it was damaged by enemy flak and crashed near Grunau, Oberosterreich. https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/399996/ It was one of 14 B-24's lost in action that same date: ( Source: https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/type/b24/9 ). Of course, we can't be 100% certain the "Leonard Getuan " of the medal is the same man who lost his life in World War II 8 years later without additional research. . .
" Even a clock that's stopped is right twice a day. "
Edited by cptbilly
03/02/2025 08:13 am
03/02/2025 08:13 am
