Medal — Royal Academy Prize Medal, London, 1770
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1770
Medal in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number A.11-1972), made in London, dated 1770, attributed to Pingo, Thomas. The museum's brief description reads: Medal, silver, England (London) by Thomas Pingo, 1770. Museum description: Medal, silver. Obverse side, Head of George II to right. Inscription, GEORGIVS III. D.G. MAGN. BRIT. FR. ET. HIB. REX. Signed T.PINGO F. Reverse. Representation of the Torso Belvedere. Inscription: STVDY and in exergue: R.AC.INSTITVTED 1768. Rim inscribed: TO EDWD HODGES BAILY FOR THE BEST MODEL OF AN ACADEMY FIGURE DECR. 10. 1809. Royal Academy prize medal by Thomas Pingo. The museum records it as Silver, struck, measuring Diameter 5.4 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Pingo was born in Italy but worked in England. He was a superb modeller. This medal captures the muscular form and power of the Belvedere Torso, an ancient Greek work that was greatly admired by Michelangelo. Edward Hodges Baily, the recipient of the medal, was later responsible for the statue of Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The legend on the rim reads: ‘Awarded to Edward Hodges Baily for the Best Model of an Academy Figure, 10 December 1809’.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Dimensions
- Diameter 5.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver, struck
- Maker recorded
- Pingo, Thomas
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Museum object name
- Medal
- Museum object number
- A.11-1972
- Museum system number
- O111649
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.