Joseph Tautenhayn
19th century
Medium
Gilt bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 6.2 cm (2 7/16 in.)
Classification
medal
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
143514
Art Historical Context
This gilt bronze medal, created by Anton Scharff in the 19th century, offers a refined portrait of Joseph Tautenhayn. As a work in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of European painting and sculpture, it exemplifies the enduring tradition of commemorative medals, which served as intimate tributes to notable individuals during this period. The circular format, measuring just over two inches across, invites close viewing and suggests it was designed for personal appreciation or as a keepsake. Scharff’s choice of gilt bronze lends the piece a warm, golden glow that enhances its sculptura...
About the Artist
Anton Scharff · 1845–1903
Anton Scharff (1845–1903) was one of the foremost medallists and engravers of nineteenth-century Austria, whose precision, formal elegance, and prolific output earned him an international reputation. Born in Vienna, he received his training at the Imperial Mint and the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, absorbing the rigorous technical traditions of Central European medal-making while also engaging with...