The Art Institute of Chicago

The medal's obverse bears standing female in gap between two half-walls, left arm resting on wall, right arm holding painter's pallet.Around top, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

The reverse bears oak and laurel branches before view of Art Institute building. Around top, THE NORMAN WAIT HARRIS PRIZE; across center, AWARDED TO / CLIFFORD ADDAMS / 1926; signed at bottom, V·D·Brenner Sc.

The medal was awarded for best painting by an American artist. This medal's recipient, Clifford Addams (1876-1942), was an American painter and printmaker who studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, where he won the coveted Cresson Scholarship to study abroad. He went to France where he became a student of James McNeill Whistler and married fellow artist Inez Bate. He volunteered for service in the Royal Navy during World War I and returned to the U.S.in 1920. He became a prominent etcher and practiced his art in New York City.  He died in his studio in Greenwich Village in 1942.

The medal's obverse bears a striking resemblance in design to Hermon A. MacNeil's Standing Liberty quarter of 1916. It has been speculated that this medal inspired MacNeill's design.

The circular medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in silver by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

References:   Baxter 138, MACo 1909-002

The medal's obverse bears three figures facing left, nude winged male in center, holding laurel crowns in both hands, flanked by women wearing toga-like dresses; woman at right holding what appears to be an apple. Signed with artists (EZ monogram) on small shield at lower left.

The reverse bears legend only. In center field within decorative border, THE / MR AND MRS / FRANK G LOGAN / MEDAL / AWARDED TO / CHARLES LOCKE / 1935; around, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Charles Wheeler Locke (1899-1983) was a painter, lithographer, illustrator and teacher.  He was born in Cincinatti, Ohio on August 31, 1899. He studied at the Cincinatti Art Academy and the New York Art Students' League with Joseph Pennell. He was a teacher at the Art Students' League when he won this award.

The medal is a beautiful example of late art nouveau, early art deco design. In my opinion, Zettler's medallic works are easily on a par with the works of the best French and American artists of the period.

The circular medal measures 75mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1919-002

The medallion's obverse bears a modern sculpture.  Above, THE ART / INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO / MR. AND MRS. FRANK G. LOGAN MEDAL

The reverse bears more abstract sculpture.

The circular medallion measures 81.8mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.

References:   MACo 1956-020