Gundulic Bronze Medal, Croatia, Dubrovnik, 1893. Beautiful!

Description

“Ivan Gundulić, was the most prominent
Baroque
poet from the
Republic of Ragusa
, (now in
Croatia
) He is regarded as the Croatian
national poet
. His work embodies central characteristics of the
Roman Catholic
Counter-Reformation
: religious fervor, insistence on "
vanity
of this world" and zeal in opposition to "
infidels
". Gundulić's major works—the
epic poem
Osman
,the
pastoral
play
Dubravka
, and the religious
poem
Tears of the Prodigal Son
(based on the
Parable of the Prodigal Son
) are examples of Baroque stylistic richness and, frequently, rhetorical excess.” [wiki]
These medals were struck for the unveiling of the Gundulić Monument in Dubrovnik, on May 20, 1893. Although it was meant to honor the national poet, the monument accentuated tensions between Croats and Serbs. “
The members of the Croatian Party of Rights and the Croatian People's Party together tried to bring to Dubrovnik as many Croats as possible from various Croat regions to give the Croatian national and political character to the celebration. On the other hand, the members of the Serb Party (Serb-Catholics) tried to gather as many Serbs-Catholics as possible to give a Serbian flavor to the celebration.” [wiki]
The actual unveiling, however, occurred without incident.
CROATIA, Adriatic Coastal Cities.
Ragusa (Dubrovnik)
.
Ivan Franov Gundulić, poet.
1589-1638.
Æ Medal (49.5mm, 55.87 g, 12h). By Johann Neubauer. Dated 1893.
Obv.: CIVO FRANA GUNDULICA; Bust left.
Rev.: DUBRONVIK/ 1893; lyre and laurel branch to left.
Reference: Wurzbac 3435
From the Stevearino Collection.