John Cook

The medal's obverse bears Pan playing pipes over a skull. Around, INGENITA LEVITAS (levity is inborn); below, signature JC in a square. The reverse bears a man holding a mirror or mask. Around, ET ERUDITA VANITAS (and vanity is learned); below signature JC in a square.

In the 1980's Cook was slowly drifting towards darker subject matter and the skull on this medal is a precursor of things to come. By 1987 his FIDEM catalog entry stated that "his works represent an exploration into various images and manifestations of death."

In 1982 he was still transitioning and wrote in the medal's brochure:

"This brief couplet from Cicero's Pro Flacco presents a profound opposition of the dionysian and appollonian aspects of man's nature. Being deeply moved both by the wit and the simple beauty employed in the fusing together of thse diverse elements, I have tried in sculptural terms to achieve a like coupling."

This medal was chosen as the 105th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1982. It measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of Danbury, Connecticut. The reported mintage is 750 pieces in bronze.

References:   MACo 1930-001-150, SoM 105

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Zeus, facing left.

The reverse is empty except for the edition marking: 10/18

In the 1980's John Cook was creating a lot of medallic works with Greek mythology themes.  This appealing amulet was one of them.

It measures 70mm x 65mm and was cast in bronze. The edition is limited to 18 medals, of which the depicted one is the tenth.

References:   BG 14

The medallion's obverse bears a centaur playing the pipe. Signed at bottom, (JC monogram) 87

The reverse bears dedication, TO CAROL / FROM JOHN

The parallels between this medal and the Brookgreen Gardens member medal John Cook had created one year earlier are unmistakable.  Cook was definitely in a "greek mythology" phase at that time of his life!

The medal was cast in bronze and measures approximately 91mm in both dimensions. No mintage is reported, but the dedication is an indication that this might be a unique cast for a person who was important to the artist.