The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals (Part I)

ENGLAND, Joshua Reynolds, 1845, a silver medal by A.J. Stothard for the Art Union of London, bust left, rev. the infant Hercules strangling snakes while seated on a lion-skin, being detail from Reynolds’ painting The Infant Hercules, 58mm, 107.81g (Beaulah 2; BHM 2207; BDM VIII, 225; E 1399). Lightly cleaned in the past, otherwise extremely fine and very rare; perhaps only 30 struck and awarded as prizes by the Union in 1846 £240-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Silich Collection of Historical and Art Medals.

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Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) was a portrait painter, and founder of the Royal Academy of Arts. This was the first medal to be issued in the Art Union of London series.