Goetzdude Posted July 29, 2017 Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Karl MayAfter the Battle (1915)Nach der SchlachtCast Bronze, Uniface Medal, 68mm, 76.80g. RRR Exhausted, Death sits in contemplation upon a devastating, modern weapon of war. A quintessential Karl May WWI piece exhibiting 'death' as the main feature of the war. Germanso die Legende, sitz der Tod auf einem Geschütz. Der Tod, und zwar der Tod durch die moderne Waffentechnik, das ist dabei die Idee und das Bild, das mit Kampf und Schlacht verbunden wird. Jede chauvinistische Heldentod-Verklärung liegt dem Medailleur hier fern. Karl May hat eine ganze Reihe solcher Medaillen geschaffen, die den Gedanken des Todes als dem Hauptmerkmal des Krieges eindrucksvoll ins Bild setzen. Das motiv des Todes auf der Kanone ist vielleicht von einer ikonographisch allerdings abweichenden Darstellung dieses Sujets auf einer bereits vor dem Krieg geschaffenen Medaille von Ludwig Gies inspiriert worden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted July 30, 2017 Report Share Posted July 30, 2017 Great medal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Haunting. I think I remember you sharing similar examples in years past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goetzdude Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Yes, I have posted Ludwig Gies medals from the same time period before. I've never seen Karl May's works offered before and was able to pick up the two rarest pieces a month or so ago out of Germany. I could share the other May piece if you are interested. My Ludwig Gies WWI collection now numbers 33 pieces which is probably double what I had back when I was posting. I can show everyone the new stuff if there is interest too. All of this material is as rare as hens teeth and you'd usually need to visit a museum in Germany to even see any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 I can speak for others, but I'd love to see at least your choicest pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goetzdude Posted August 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2017 Here's the other May piece I got in the same auction. The Last Shot Cast Bronze/Uniface, 84mm X 156mm,196.28g RRRR There is absolutely nothing written about this medallion. Not even any mention from German museums whom I believe I was bidding against as the prices for these two medals was 3X any of the other May WWI material. The size of this cannon may be alluding to the use of "Big Bertha" which was designed by Krup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedeadpoint Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Can you tell us a bit more about May's politics/leanings/beliefs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goetzdude Posted August 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 I haven't a clue as to his political bent. There isn't much written about him. He was a Munich Schooler along with Gies, Zadikow, and others. All Germans were taken aback when the war didn't 'end by Christmas' in 1914. Reports of the amount of death and destruction painted the situation as grim. Here is a short read on the general overview of the artists and their work from the German WWI experience. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-reviews/10839673/Cast-iron-insights-into-war-as-the-enemy-saw-it.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 13, 2017 Report Share Posted August 13, 2017 I love the pieces you manage to find. Great collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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