artist.shtml medals linda-harper

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  • Laughter and Tears 1979
    by Linda Harper
    SOM-100.1
    Golden bronze with light tan patina
    SOM-100.2
    Silver

    This design by Harper was chosen as the 100th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series.

    The obverse bears three views of a clown's face, neutral, laughing and smiling. Above, LAUGHTER; below, MUSIC FROM THE HEART

    The reverse also bears three views of a clown's face, but this time turned away, weeping, and frowning. Above, TEARS; below, PURIFY THE SOUL

    This was Linda Harper's first medallic work. She had previously only been (well-)known for her portraits which can be found in collections in California and Hawaii.

    She wrote in the brochure that accompanied the medal:

    "It is my sincere hope that just as the clown turns from tears to laughter as you rotate the medal, so, in god's wisdom, no matter what your problems today, time will heal all and bring about the realization of life's joy."

    This medal is one of three that have the clown as their subject. Both Jean de Marco and Dexter Jones also chose the clown for their designs.

    The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. Its reported production quantity is 750 in bronze and 200 in silver.

    SOM-100.1
    Bronze
    73.0mm (2.87in)
    Golden bronze with light tan patina
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS, 100TH ISSUE OCTOBER 1979, LINDA HARPER, SC. (C)
    (C) 1979 MEDALLIC ART CO., DANBURY, CT.-BRONZE
    SOM-100.2
    Silver
    50.0mm (1.97in)
    THE SOCIETY OF MEDALISTS 100TH ISSUE OCTOBER 1979, LINDA HARPER, SC.(C)
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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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