Evening star., 1940-05-05

IN Chicago, after having Travelled
extensively with several resultant
sales. The O'Haras return East via
California aad Oregon, but on ar
rival 60 almost directly to Maine.
New Medal Issued
Work OF Former Washington
Sculptor Is Produced
By Medaltsts Society
The Society Of Medalists, q ma
tional organization with head
quarters In New York, has just is
sued its 2lst medal, which happens
to be the work Of an erstwhile
Washingtonian, Edmond Amatsis,
and hence Of special local as well
rs artistic interest.
Mr.. Amateis Is the son Of the late
Louis Amateis, native Of Turin,
who came to this country In 1884
and became . naturalized citizen.
Before leaving his native city the
elder Amateis attained considerable
reputation as q sculptor. When he
arrived in the United States he took
up residence in New York, but be-
fore many years passed established
himself In Washington. Edmond
was born In Rome In 1897, but grew
up here. playing rs . boy in his
fathers studio and learning model
ing and the mysteries Of casting
when very young.
The father is credited with hav-
ing founded the school of architec-
ture and fine arts Of George WASH
ington University, when 1t was still
known as Columbian College. He
did many portrait busts and, most
notable of all his works, pair of
bronze doors for the Capitol, which,
however, never having been put up,
are to be seen in the vestibule Of
the Natural History Building Of the
National Museum. In his work he
followed the Roman tradition, but
his son has struck out on new and
modern lines, not forgetting the
past, but adapting 1t to the present.
Edmond Amateis Is q member of
the National Sculpture Society (as
was his father, and also an as
sociate of the National Academy Of
Design, q fellow of the American
Academy in Rome and member of
the Architectural League of New
York. He has to his credit a long
list Of works, many of which are Of
much distinction. He is represented
here by relief and spandrels for the
Labor Department and Interstate
Commerce Commission Building; he
did q pediment Of nine figures for
the Buffalo Historical Building. and
IS. ut his best, likewise in decorat tive
figures for outdoor placement, such
Is "Pastorale" In Brooksreen Car
dens, s. G.
The medal which he designed and
modelled for the Society Of Medalists
Is based on two Of Aesop's fables,
written In ancient times, but equally
applicable today. II selected them" !"
he says, "for their enduring time
liness, but leave their Interpretation
to the beholder." They are "The
Kite. Hawk and Pigeons" and "A
Dog and His Shadow" The diverse
shows the Hawke chosen by the
doves Is their king to protect them
against the kite"-standing upon
their dead bodies, while ON the re-
verse Is seen the dog with the bone
IN his mouth, which he Is soon to
lose, gazing at his reflection In the
water. The marginal lettering in
both instances leaves no chance for
Observation-Disclosures inscriptions
give warning Of the inevitable pun
1shment Of folly. It would be well
II the distribution Of this medal
could be Nationwide.
Aside from subjective sisnificance.
this medal is artistically well rem.
dered. Were 1t not 80, its worth
would be greatly diminished. The
hawk and the dog are both well
placed In the circle, and the model
ing. though very simple, Is sensitive
and satisfying. Here We have old
truths reclothed In modern dress,
dttingly and well, through the me.
d1um Of art-and art Of . high order
Of merit.
The Society Of Medalists was
founded In 1880 by the late George
D. Pratt Of New York and Z group
Of his associates, chiefly members
Of the Board Of Directors Of the
American Federation Of Arts, with
the object Of increasing interest "a
medalist art. Each year since two
medals, designed and modelled BY
leading American sculptors, have
been struck and distributed to the
societys members, each Of whom
pays annual dues Of -. Tho medals
are In bronze and approximately 8
inches In diameter. Among the
sculptors who have oo-operated and
are represented BY past issues are
Laura oardin Fraser, Paul Man.
ship. Frederick Mac1lonnies, Hsr.
bert Adams. Thit AcKenSie. Roterf