Description

George III. 1760-1820. Gold Medal 1768, 105.86 g. Royal Academy of Arts, Prize Medal. By T. Pingo. Bust, hair bound with a fillet. GEORGIVS III D . G . MAGN . BRIT . FR . ET HIB . REX. Rv. Minerva seated beside a young artist to whom she indicates a temple on a hill beyond. HAVD FACILEM ESSE VIAM VOLVIT. In exergue: R . AC . INSTITVTED 1768. Edge: TO FRANCIS EDWARDS FOR THE BEST DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE DEC . 1811. 54.7 mm. Eimer 723. BHM 132. Pingo 42. Sehr selten / Very rare. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated.

From the auction Hess Divo 266, October 1995, Zurich, lot 211.

The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly in London. Founded in 1768 under the patronage of King George III, it has a unique position as an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects. Its purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the fine arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

The recipient, Francis Edwards (1784–1857), was a British architect of the Georgian and early Victorian periods, who worked extensively in the London area. Sir John Soane's foremost pupil, Edwards joined Soane's office at Lincoln's Inn Fields as an improver in 1806 and was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools two years later.