artist.shtml medals karen-worth

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XVI Congress of Zoology 1963
by Karen Worth
KW-COZ
Golden bronze

The obverse bears phoenix perched on three-objective microscope. Various life-forms around, DNA spirals at bottom left and right. Around, THE PHOENIX SYMBOLIZES THE REUNION OF ZOOLOGY / FROM ITS SEPARATE SPECIALTIES. The reverse bears the text XVI / INTERNATIONAL / CONGRESS OF / ZOOLOGY / WASHINGTON / 20-27 AUGUST / 1963.

The motif was designed to be the emblem of the 16th International Congress for Zoology. The Congress met in Washington, DC during the week of August 20-27 in 1963. Inspired by Gerard Piel and rendered by Rudolf Freund (Peabody Museum, Yale University) the design was also used for a medal that was handed out at the President's reception in the National Gallery of Art. Karen Worth was chosen to translate Mr. Freund's design into medallic sculpture.

The medal was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York but the mintage is not reported.

Sourced from the Proceedings of the XVI International Congress of Zoology.

Ad Astra per Aspera 1963
SOM-67.1
Golden bronze with tan patina
SOM-67.2
Silver

This medal was chosen as the 67th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1963.

The obverse bears a star-shaped man soaring into space. Around, AD ASTRA PER ASPERA; in right field, K. WORTH © 1963

The reverse bears man and woman advancing under the aegis of benign spirit holding blazing star. Around the spirit, THE SPIRIT OF THE SPACE AGE

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York. It is reported to have struck 960 pieces in bronze.

SOM-67.1
Bronze
73.0mm (2.87in)
Golden bronze with tan patina
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 67TH ISSUE - MAY 1963 KAREN WORTH, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO.N.Y. BRONZE
SOM-67.2
Silver
73.0mm (2.87in)
THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 67TH ISSUE - MAY 1963 KAREN WORTH, SC.(C)
MEDALLIC ART CO. - DANBURY, CT. - .999 FINE SILVER
Pygmalion and Galatea 1982
by  Karen Worth
BG-10
Golden bronze

This was the tenth of the prestigious Brookgreen Gardens member medals, issued in 1982.

The obverse bears Pygmalion, a legendary king of Cyprus, who carved the figure of a beautiful maiden and immediately fell in love with it. Around, PYGMALION AND GALATEA; in exergue, KAREN (crossed mallets) WORTH.

The reverse bears Orpheus who was celebrated in Greek Literature as the outstanding poet of his age. Above, BROOKGREEN GARDENS (flower) SOUTH CAROLINA; in exergue, ORPHEUS

Karen Worth created a beautiful medal that represents Brookgreen Gardens like few others. The obverse captures the exact moment when the statue comes alive, representing the merging of sculpture and nature. The reverse depicts a great poet surrounded by native South Carolina wildlife, again expressing how nature and art are combined by Brookgreen Gardens.

The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company.

Adam and Eve 1993
by Karen Worth
SOM-126.1

This medal was chosen as the 126th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1993.

The obverse bears cherub with fiery sword standing over muscular Adam with monkey on his knee; Eve holding apple, serpent holding apple below. Aat lower left, signed KAREN WORTH

The reverse bears angel plunging from sky, skewering sinner with lightning bolt in pit if hell.

The medal measures 102mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company. Production numbers were not reported.

SOM-126.1
Bronze
102.0mm (4.02in)
SOM-126.2
Silver
102.0mm (4.02in)

Millenium - 20002000
Karen Worth
Bronze with tan patina

The obverse bears flying figure, with stretched out arms strapped to stylized wings, trailing shock waves as in illustrations of supersonic flight; stylized sun at left. Across bottom, MILLENIUM / 2000; signed at bottom, KAREN WORTH © 2000

The reverse bears male, female, child and baby set into elliptical electron orbits of nuclear model. Background covered by incuse legend consisting of language names followed by that language's word for 2,000.

The edge is marked at 6:00, CRECO IND. DANBURY CT

The figure on the obverse might well be a jet-age Icarus who is about to have his wings stripped by pushing through the sound barrier.

The medal measures 73mm in diameter and is struck in bronze.

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Books & Articles

American Art Medals, 1909-1995 by David Thomason Alexander
David T. Alexander's book can be purchased at the above link. Highly recommended for anyone interested in SOM. I am deeply indebted to him for all the information I used to document the SOM medals on this site.

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