The medallion's obverse bears portrait of Isidore Konti facing left. Around, ····· ISIDORE · KONTI ····· SCULPTOR ····· MCMXV
The reverse bears figures of old, toga-wearing man and boy holding lyre walking together towards right; bird behind them, sun above, all within beaded border. Around, · GUIDE · PHIL-OSOPHER · AND · FRIEND ·; signed under arm of older man at right, ·PAUL· / ·MAN / SHIP·
Isidore Konti (1862-1938) was a Vienna-born (of Hungarian parents) sculptor. He began formal art studies at the age of 16 when he entered the Imperial Academy in Vienna, where he studied under Edmund von Hellmer. Konti moved to the United States sometime in the early 1890s where his skills were much in demand during the great international exhibitions.
Konti took the young Manship under his wings when he moved from Philadelphia to New York, right after he had finished his studies with Charles Grafly at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In the years from 1908 to 1909 Manship worked as Konti's assistant. Konti encouraged him to submit his work and Manship became the youngest artist to win the American Prix de Rome. This set the stage for studies in Italy and Greece, and firmed up Manship's everlasting devotion to classical themes.
The circular medallion measures 90mm in diameter and was cast in bronze. The number of cast pieces is not known.
References: Murtha 64