15 October 2025 – 25 January 2026

FIDEM XXXVIII. World Exhibition of Modern Medal Art

For the first time, the World Exhibition of Modern Medal Art is being held in Munich (FIDEM XXXVIII). On display are 500 art medals from over 30 countries, designed by 350 artists and ranging from classical forms to modern small sculptures. The works from Europe, Oceania, Asia and America, which have already won awards in their countries of origin, enter into dialogue with each other under the heading ‘Our Myths – Our Roots’. The diversity of the countries is reflected in the objects, which open up different perspectives on current and timeless themes.

The medal has a tradition dating back over 500 years, originating in Renaissance Italy and finding its most famous representative in Germany in Albrecht Dürer. Then as now, medals are usually double-sided, with the main side presenting the motif and the other a symbol as a commentary. While German and American medal art often addresses political themes, countries such as the Netherlands and Latvia are known for avant-garde small sculptures. Japan and New Zealand, on the other hand, are particularly sensitive to indigenous traditions.

The exhibition is linked to the XXXVIII Art Medal Congress Munich 2025, which will take place from 15 to 18 October. The event is organised by the Munich State Coin Collection under the direction of the Fédération Internationale de la Médaille d'Art and its president Philip Attwood, former director of the British Museum in London. The patron of the event is H.R.H. Duke Franz of Bavaria. In addition to the State Coin Collection, the venues include the State Collections of Antiquities, the Central Institute for Art History and the Amerikahaus. The main exhibition in the State Collections of Antiquities will be enriched by a comprehensive programme of lectures by leading medal experts, artist workshops and other exhibitions in the city.

Further information is available on the website of the Staatliche Münzsammlung München.

The image material provided here may be used free of charge for editorial reporting on the State Coin Collection, the State Collections of Antiquities and the Glyptothek in connection with the exhibition "FIDEM XXXVIII. World Exhibition of Modern Medal Art: Our Myths – Our Roots" may be used free of charge for editorial reporting on the State Coin Collection, the State Collections of Antiquities and the Glyptothek with reference to the source © FIDEM. Commercial use is not permitted.

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