CBM hat geschrieben:GOLD AND SILVER NUMISMATIC COINS UNDER THE EUROPA PROGRAMME 2012 “EUROPEAN ARTIST” – ANTONIO SCIORTINO
The Central Bank of Malta will issue a numismatic coin as part of the Europa Programme 2012 “European Artist” during March 2012. This coin, which will be available in gold and silver versions, commemorates Antonio Sciortino (1879 – 1947), a Maltese sculptor. He studied at L’Istituto Reale di Belle Arti in Rome and spent much of his life there, eventually becoming Director of the British Academy of Arts. He was initially influenced by Rodin, with his best works revealing this. Sciortino's favourite medium was bronze, which he used with great sensitivity. The coin depicts “Les Gavroches” (Street Urchins), Sciortino’s 1904 masterpiece based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel “Les Miserables”, a book that was banned by the Catholic Church at the time Sciortino completed this bronze statue. A bozzetto model of the statue was presented to Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and still forms part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. The bronze statue was placed at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. Following restoration in 2003, it was moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta and a replica was placed where it had stood originally at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

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CBoM hat geschrieben:Issue of numismatic coin under the Europa Programme 2012 “European Artists” – Antonio Sciortino

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On Monday 30 April 2012, the Central Bank of Malta will issue a numismatic coin as part of the Europa Programme ‘European Artists’ commemorating the renowned Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino (1879 -1947). This coin will be issued in gold and silver versions with a face value of €50 and €10 respectively. This will be the second coin issued by the Bank in its 2012 Coin Programme.
Antonio Sciortino was born in Malta and at an early age went to continue his art studies in Rome at the Regio Istituto di Belle Arti. He spent much of his life in that city, where he eventually became the Director of the Accademia Britannica. He was strongly influenced by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, and much of his best works reveals this influence. His favourite medium was bronze.
The coin features Sciortino’s masterpiece ‘Les Gavroches’ (Street Urchins), which was sculptured in 1904 inspired by the poor street urchins in Victor Hugo’s renowned novel ‘Les Miserables’. The bronze statue was placed at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, but following its restoration in 2003, it was moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta and a replica was placed in its stead. A sculptured model of the ‘Les Gavroches’ statue was presented to Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Malta as a princess in 1951. The model forms part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.
The distribution of the coins will commence from Monday 30 April 2012. Bank officials will contact all those who placed their orders to inform them of their allocation, the means of payment and the dates on which they will be requested to collect their coins.