The Works of Erik Lindberg

Numismagram Newsletter #50 (IX/2020)

For our smaller mid-month uploads, we tend to follow a particular theme, and September is no different. However, rather than everything all sharing something in their subject matter, this month’s items instead share an artist—Erik Lindberg. After occasionally offering some of his works over the past few years, buying what caught my attention, I began to notice that a particular style was becoming more and more recognizable to me. Elements of Art Nouveau and hints of geometry from Art Deco combined with the elegance of Neoclassicism—something is seemingly never encountered in medallic art of the 20th century. I instantly started searching for more works of Lindberg that I could offer in the future, even seeking out the incredible two volume reference written by Ulla Ehrensvärd—an accomplished art historian and researcher who, in addition to her work on Lindberg, was well known in the world of cartography. Below is a brief biography of Lindberg and his work that I wrote earlier this year:

In the world of medallic art, France may come to mind for its association with some of the most skilled and elegant craftsmen and their work, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Any survey of medals and coins from this period will show the beauty that the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements provided to the numismatic scene. However, production of artistic medals was not limited to France. Although Sweden is not as often represented in collections and literature devoted to numismatic art, it is not due to a lack of exceptional material produced by incredible sculptor/engravers. One such artist was Johan Lindberg, most commonly known by his middle name, Erik.

 

Born in Stockholm on the final day of 1873, Erik grew up with an artistic presence, as his father, Johan Adolph, was a famous sculptor and engraver of medals, even serving as a professor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts. Focused intently upon his craft, Erik split most of the 1890s training at his father's studio and studying at the Academy. Following his graduation from the Academy, he earned a scholarship for study in Paris where he was greatly influenced by the styles of such luminaries as Louis-Oscar Roty and Jules-Clément Chaplain. It was during this period that he was tasked with the creation of the medals to be awarded for the newly established Nobel Prizes, one of the first of his numismatic contributions. While the reverse designs of these majestic medals vary based upon the subject matter celebrated, the obverses all display the same classical rendition of Alfred Nobel, the creator of the trust used to finance the prizes. Outside of the Peace Prize, presented instead in Oslo, and the Economics Prize, created much later by the Sveriges Riksbank, Lindberg's renditions continue to be used for the prize medals as well as the medals presented to the nominating committees. Though the actual prize medals are almost never encountered in the market, the nominating medals do appear at auction and have become quite popular as they are generally as close as one can realistically get to an actual prize medal.

 

Lindberg's medallic portfolio doesn't end at the Nobel Prize and Nominating Committee medals, as he actively produced some of the most elegant and expressive medals of the period, even designing some of the circulating gold denominations for the Swedish mint. His style presents a strong background in Art Nouveau, yet also offers hints of Art Deco and a definitive nod to the reinvigorated allure of Neoclassicism. During the first half of the 20th century, he created a wealth of timeless pieces for the collector of fine medallic art that is still rather unexplored by the community.

Some of the elegant pieces of medallic art featured in this month’s mini include Lindberg’s aforementioned iconic Nobel prize design, like this iridescently toned silver nominating committee medal…

…or this silver medal commemorating the 25th anniversary of the AB Separator company, famous for their production of first centrifugal milk-cream separator…

Other Swedish companies are celebrated, like this bronze medal commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Nitroglycerin Aktiebolaget—Alfred Nobel’s famous nitroglycerin corporation; this is a rather popular type that we have had numerous times in the past…

…while other items are completely new to us, like this silver medal for the 100th anniversary of the Fire Insurance Institute in Skåne—one of just 250 minted in silver…

We even have an additional copy of Ehrensvärd’s indispensable work for anyone looking to add a great reference (in Swedish) to their library. For all of these new additions, click here, or click on the banner art at the top of this newsletter.

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