Stunning, one of a kind, museum-quality silver Leopold II Belgian medal, designed by famed Belgian Medallist Leopold Wiener.  This historically important medal was awarded to renowned Belgian painter Jean Colin for winning 1st place at the Belgian National Painting Competition in 1904 (Bruxelles).

The obverse depicts the profile of Leopold II, King of the Belgian facing right (rare).  The heavily patinated reverse depicts four genii drawing, painting, measuring and sculpting. The bust being sculpted represents Charles of Lorraine, governor of the Austrian Low Countries (design first created by Leopold Wiener in 1865).  The reverse is inscribed with:  "Ction de Peinture" (Painting competition) "1R Prix" (First Place) "Colin, Jean de Bruxelles" (from Bruxelles) at the top, and "Bruxelles 1903-1904" at the bottom.

Graded MS-62 and encapsulated in an oversized holder with proof of authenticity (NGC), the medal has a diameter of 51mm. Metallic analysis indicates a composition of 86% silver, 5% gold, 5% phosphorus, 2% copper and 2% other.

Note on the pictures: the pictures of the medal outside the holder were taken before the evaluation / grading and encapsulation.  Holder is currently sealed and cannot be opened.

Leopold Wiener: Dutch born, Leopold Wiener was a Belgian sculptor and medallist. After studying in his brothers studio, he became a student of  sculptors David D'Angers and Jean Jacques Barré in Paris. In 1847, he won a designing contest for the new depiction of Leopold I, King of Belgium on Belgian coins, and  became the last Chief Engraver of the Belgian Mint in 1864. His work is displayed in several museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Centraal Museum collection in Utrecht and the Victoria and Albert Museum in the United Kingdom.

Jean Colin: Born in 1881 in Ixelles, Belgium Jean Colin trained both as a painter and graphic artist. After attending the Anderlecht drawing school  from 1893 to 1905, he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. Colin won the 1910 medal at the Brussels World Exhibition as well as multiple other awards (such as the Prix de Rome) and participated in numerous exhibitions at home and abroad. His work can be found in multiple museums, such as the Museums for Fine Arts in Liège, Ghent, Charleroi, Tournai and the Charlier Museum in Brussels.

Provenance: Estate