Theodor von Gosen. 1911.
UNIVERSITAS / VRATISLAVIENSIS (University of Beslau). Cast yellow bronze, light-brown patina, 93.6 mm, 248.8 g. Edge-punch C.POELLATH SCHROBENHAUSEN. Fast gussfrisch (near as-cast), few slight scratches to patina.
Obverse: Kaiser Wilhelm II half-length portrait in
Breslauer Kürassierregiment (Breslau Cuirassier Regiment) uniform, head in profile to left; inscription GUILELMUS II —— IMP∙REX (William II Emperor) above shoulders, left and right, respectively; four-line inscription in exergue MAGNUS∙AB∙INTEGRO / SAECLORUM∙NASCITUR / ORDO∙TE∙DUCE / MCMXI (we praise the rebirth of a great sequence of the ages 1911); laurel garland surrounding entire edge within raised rim.
Reverse: Robed female figure, right hand holding sword across lap, open book in left, riding on Red Deer (
Cervus elaphus) stag striding to left; in background university building above which sun rises; inscription in field VERUM / SITIO —— SCIEN / TIAM / PROVEHO (the site of knowledge promotes truth) left and right, respectively; two-line title inscription in exergue; artists monogram interlaced TG lower center exergue; thick harvest garland encircling entire edge within raised rim.
Cf: Dziallas, Paul. 1971. Theodor von Gosen: Das Medaillenwerk, p. 18, no. 9 ( not illustrated).
Cf: Sakwerda, Jan. 1993. Theodor von Gosen: Medale / Medaillen, pp. 43, 71, no. 11.
Cf: Heidemann, Martin. 1998. Medaillenkunst in Deutschland von 1895 bis 1914. Die Kunstmedaille in Deutschland, Band 8, pp. 267, 446: no. 806.The University of Breslau was founded in 1811 through the union of the University of Frankfurt/Oder with the Breslau Jesuit College. In the centenary year 1911 it was renamed the Schlesische (Silesian) Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität (Dziallus, p. 19).
The image of the deer (or hart) as a symbol of the thirst for salvation represented by Science originates from Psalm 42 (Heidemann, p. 268): "
Wie der Hirsch schreiet nach frischem Wasser, So schreiet meine seele Gott zu dir." (Luther Bibel); "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." (Authorized Version).