| The Austrian Artist Edwin Grienauer |
Note 1: Edwin Grienauer was a prolific Artist and I know of the existence of at least 94 medallic/Coin designs that he created but I am confident that represents a small fraction of his body of work. He did numerous statues and other sculptural work as well. Note 2: Grienauer did a bust of Adolf Hitler which was displayed in the lobby of the Vienna University for a time but the bust was returned to him after WW-II. After Grienauer's death in 1964, the bust passed to his wife who eventually gave it to her nephew. The nephew (a long time collector) recently passed away and it remains to be seen if his collection will stay within the family, be donated to museums or if parts will eventually be seen at public auction. Don't hold your breath while waiting for it though ;-) Other Grienauer Medal |
| Austrian Coins, Medals & Tokens |
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Edwin Grienauer was one of the more important Viennese Sculptors and
Medalist of the 20th Century. He was born in Vienna on March 7th, 1893 and
by 1912, at age 19, Grienauer was already creating his first portrait plaques.
He studied at the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule. His body of work spans more
than half a century. He died on August 21st, 1964.
Grienauer worked almost exclusively from commission and was proficient in all
areas of sculptural design. He is particularly well known as a designer of
Austrian commemorative and regular issue coins. He won the gold medal for
medals at the Art Olympiad of 1928 (Olympic Art Exhibition in Amsterdam),
and the Bronze Medal (2nd) for 1948.
Medalist of the 20th Century. He was born in Vienna on March 7th, 1893 and
by 1912, at age 19, Grienauer was already creating his first portrait plaques.
He studied at the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule. His body of work spans more
than half a century. He died on August 21st, 1964.
Grienauer worked almost exclusively from commission and was proficient in all
areas of sculptural design. He is particularly well known as a designer of
Austrian commemorative and regular issue coins. He won the gold medal for
medals at the Art Olympiad of 1928 (Olympic Art Exhibition in Amsterdam),
and the Bronze Medal (2nd) for 1948.
The medal work of Grienauer’s is dominated by award/service medals of
national or economic institutions and prizes for sporting events.
His large sculptures are still present today in Vienna and include reliefs and
architectural sculptures, crucifixes and religious statues on and in Viennese
churches, and even floor tiles for the St Stephans Cathedral.
Works include coin dies of the Austrian 1st and 2nd Republic, medals,
sculptures, and portraits. He designed commemorative and regular issue
coins for Liechtenstein as well. Grienauer designed the denomination side
of the last of the Schilling coins of Austria, which were in circulation from
1959 to 2002.
national or economic institutions and prizes for sporting events.
His large sculptures are still present today in Vienna and include reliefs and
architectural sculptures, crucifixes and religious statues on and in Viennese
churches, and even floor tiles for the St Stephans Cathedral.
Works include coin dies of the Austrian 1st and 2nd Republic, medals,
sculptures, and portraits. He designed commemorative and regular issue
coins for Liechtenstein as well. Grienauer designed the denomination side
of the last of the Schilling coins of Austria, which were in circulation from
1959 to 2002.
Studio
| Early picture |
| The obverse depicts Hermes (Mercury) carrying a caduceus and a wreath. In the background are the smoke-stacks of industry along a riverside (Vienna is divided by the Danube River). Across the bottom is inscribed "Für Wien" and around the rim, "Kammer Der Gewerblichen Wirtschaft" (Chamber of the Commercial Economy of Vienna). The reverse depicts three men in a classical style cooperating in a tug-of-war. Below the image is the inscription "Für Treue Mitarbeit Frau Josefa Grabner Wien 1973" (For loyal dedication Mrs. Josefa Grabner, Vienna 1973). |
Below the reverse image is the inscription "Für
Treue Mitarbeit Herrn Max Udovs
Wien 1958" (For loyal dedication Mr. Max
Udovs, Vienna 1958
Treue Mitarbeit Herrn Max Udovs
Wien 1958" (For loyal dedication Mr. Max
Udovs, Vienna 1958
1958 Silvered
1973 Silvered and 1970 Bronze
More that one reverse exist with this obverse and which one was
used depended upon the type of award. Below the reverse image is
the inscription "Für Besondere Verdienste" which means something
like (For Special Merit).
The box would contain a person's name, date and Wien (Vienna).
The medal is Bronze, 70mm in diameter and weighs 143g.
used depended upon the type of award. Below the reverse image is
the inscription "Für Besondere Verdienste" which means something
like (For Special Merit).
The box would contain a person's name, date and Wien (Vienna).
The medal is Bronze, 70mm in diameter and weighs 143g.
Kammer Der Gewerblichen Wirtschaft Created in 1949 and I believe still being presented
today. One of Grienauer's more common and easily acquired medals is the one that he
designed for the "Kammer Der Gewerblichen Wirtschaft" (Chamber of the Commercial Economy
of Vienna). (not exactly the same as the Chamber's of Commerce in the US)
today. One of Grienauer's more common and easily acquired medals is the one that he
designed for the "Kammer Der Gewerblichen Wirtschaft" (Chamber of the Commercial Economy
of Vienna). (not exactly the same as the Chamber's of Commerce in the US)