Bursting the Bounds

[Al Kowsky]

"Bursting the Bounds" refers to surpassing barriers or limitations that may be holding someone back. When someone breaks the bounds, they are essentially freeing them selves from constraints, pushing past what was previously thought to be impossible or unreachable. In 1985, sculpture-medalist, Donald De Lue accomplished this when he created the 111th medal for the American Society of Medalists.

SOM #111, 1985. Artist Donald De Lue. AE: 74 mm X 74 mm (2.92 in), square with rounded edges, 24 mm (.94 in) thick, weight 569 gm (18.3 oz / 1.52 lb.). Struck by the Metallic Art Company, Danbury, CT. Obverse: Muscular young man trying to break free from confinement, seen from front, "DeLue" in lower left field. Reverse: Same figure seen from back. Edge markings: DONALD DE LUE, AUG 1985, SOM 111 TH ISSUE. Mintage 750 pieces. AWK Collection, 2024; Ex  Dan Hansen Collection, 11-9-2002.

Achieving the ultra high relief of this medal with the capabilities in 1985 was an amazing accomplishment. The medal had to be struck 14 times at 100 tons per square inch, with annealing between each strike. So the fabrication of each medal was a lengthy process. Donald De Lue made the plaster models for the master dies when he was 88 years old, an amazing achievement in itself ☺️. He was the first member of the SOM asked to create another medal for the series, after designing SOM #56 in 1957.

                                                                                   Creation, SOM #56

The obverse depicts the Creator, kneeling in the heavens in front of stars & sun. An upside down angel blows a trumpet, & two tiny humans look upward, shielding their faces in awe. The inscription: WHAT IS MAN THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM. The reverse depicts a reclining God, holding the sun in one hand & a tiny man in the other hand. In the background are stars, an atom, & a shooting star. The inscription: IN THE IMAGE OF GOD CREATED HE HIM. Mintage 824 bronze medals & a small number of silver medals.

Pictured below is an early pencil sketch by Donald De Lue, dated 1950, of the medal design for Bursting the Bounds. This design was too difficult to fabricate in ultra high relief. Photo courtesy of  invaluable auctions.

Website members are welcome to post any of their medals from the American Society of Medalists ☺️. 

Edited September 15, 2024 by Al Kowsky
correction

[JayAg47]

I don't have anything to show from the American Society of Medalists. Although, they remind me of these unfinished statues of Michelangelo. 

[Al Kowsky]

59 minutes ago, JayAg47 said:

I don't have anything to show from the American Society of Medalists. Although, they remind me of these unfinished statues of Michelangelo. 

De Lue used a lot of nude figures for his sculptures & you can see he was greatly influenced by the Art Deco movement.

The figure of Icarus falling to earth is especially well done.