ROSS, Michael. Jacques Wiener's Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe - The
Man, Monuments, and Medals. New York, 2019. xiv + 366 text pages, color
figures. Hardback $100 -------- A truly outstanding work. The
nineteenth century medal series The Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe
by Belgian medallist is examined in detail. The work begins by providing
a biographical background for Wiener, integrating two primary sources,
supplemented by information from Wiener family descendants. The overall
medal series is then addressed starting with its inception as defined in
Wiener's original prospectus through its quietly incomplete conclusion.
The scope of the series, its range of issue dates, and elements and
characteristics of its production are presented. For each edifice
commemorated, the associated medals, including new and unpublished
varieties, are presented, legends translated, die characteristics
examined, contemporary supporting documents cited, issue dates revised,
and source images used by the artist are identified in limited cases.
Where applicable instances of divergence between the state of the actual
monument and Wiener's renderings are noted as well. The intent of the
work is to provide a greater understanding of the medal series through a
contextual approach.