Letter
Dear Mr. Moy:
In its meeting of 15 October, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the proposed design for the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the artist Constantino Brumidi, with the following recommendations.
A majority of the Commission members supported using the portrait of alternative #2 set within the composition of alternative #1; they commended the design of #1 for its placement of the head in the center and its use of the wreath around the rim recalling the decorative features of Brumidi's work. The Commission members recommended, however, that the portrait of Brumidi be redesigned to incorporate the preferred likeness in alternative #2; they noted the awkward position of the necktie in alternative #1 as well as the inappropriate placement of the artist's name across the chest of the portrait in alternative #2. A minority of the Commission members expressed support for alternative #3, saying they liked its simplicity, the use of a near-profile, and the brushes representing Brumidi's profession; one Commission member commented that this alternative could easily complement a reverse design.
For the reverse, the Commission supported alternative #1, depicting Brumidi's painting of The Apotheosis of George Washington at the U.S. Capitol, as the most balanced design, but recommended replacing the lengthy central text with the simple statement "Artist of the Capitol," as proposed in alternative #2.
As always, the staff is available to assist you with future submissions.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary
Edmund C. Moy, Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20220
cc: Kaarina Budow, U.S. Mint