Frantz Liszt (1811–1866) 1840

This bronze medal of Franz Liszt was created in 1840 by Jean-François-Antoine Bovy. The circular form contains a profile of the composer, set against a flat, neutral background. Bovy's work displays a striking attention to the texture of Liszt's hair and the contours of his face. Consider the formal choices: the profile view, a classicizing reference to ancient coinage, lends an air of timelessness and authority. Liszt's name is inscribed vertically along the right edge, integrating text and image. The smooth, polished surface of the bronze creates subtle gradations of light and shadow. The medal functions as both portrait and symbol. It captures Liszt’s likeness and elevates him to the status of cultural icon. By using the traditional medium of the bronze medal, Bovy situates Liszt within a historical continuum of celebrated figures. The medal invites us to reflect on how artistic conventions shape our perception and memory of individuals.