Gold Half Moon Medal Foundation of the Association of Czech Graphic Artists Hollar 2017 Proof

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Banking Competition Medals 2017

Václav Hollar, a 17th century engraver and draughtsman, is one of the greatest Czech artists of all time. He spent most of his life abroad, where he achieved worldwide fame, but he never forgot where he came from. He was proud to show his Czechness and it is no wonder that when the free association of graphic artists was founded in Prague in 1917, it was named after him. To commemorate the anniversary of this event, a half-ounce gold medal of the Czech Mint is being issued as part of a free cycle of the most beautiful unrealised designs entered into the Czech National Bank's competitions.

The founding members brought to the "Association of Czech Graphic Artists Hollar" a variety of impulses that they collected at schools, in practice and on foreign trips. Their rich output mirrored the artistic endeavours of the whole of Europe. Throughout its existence - almost 100 years - the SČUG has distinguished itself from similar organisations by being a place of friendly coexistence of several artistic generations. Its members are not bound by a common artistic opinion - the quality of their work is the only decisive factor, and they include such greats as František Kupka, Max Švabinský, Josef Lada and Jan Zrzavý. The best of Czech graphic art is still presented by Hollar today...

The art design by the leading medallist ac. sculptor. Zbyněk Fojtů appealed to the expert jury of the Czech National Bank so much that they awarded him the second prize for the "balanced composition of Hollar's portrait and the motif of the cat from his most famous engraving with Czech text" on the obverse and for the historical logos of the association on the reverse of the mintage. The descriptions of both sides of the medal then state the following: VÁCLAV HOLLAR - GRAPHIC ARTIST - ENGRAVER - DRAUGHTSMAN / ASSOCIATION OF CZECH GRAPHIC ARTISTS HOLLAR - 1917 - 2017.

The half-ounce gold medal was issued in an edition of only 99 pieces, hand-numbered on the edge. Each one includes an illustrated certificate of authenticity to commemorate the importance of our oldest artistic association.