Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum
Donation to Liechtenstein National Museum
Vaduz (ots)
Liechtenstein National Museum receives two valuable plaster models created by Spanish artist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989).
At a small ceremony held on 6 February 2014, the family of Wilfried Kindli presented the valuable original plaster models made by Spanish artist Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) to the Liechtenstein National Museum as a donation for the museum's collection.
In 1966, with royal approval, Albert K. Haas (1913-1998) put into effect the idea of issuing a commemorative gold medal to celebrate the 60th birthday of Prince Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein (1906- 1989). He commissioned one of the best-known artists of the 20th century, Salvador Dalí, to design a medal for the first time. The result was two impressive models made of plaster with a diameter of 40 cm, one for the front and one for the back of the medal. A first strike of 3,000 gold medals was produced by the company Huguenin in Le Locle.
The two original plaster models, as well as other objects illustrating the history of the medals, have now been donated to the National Museum. They were part of the estate of Hermine Kindle de Contreras Torres (1905-2001), a citizen of Triesen and Mexico. As a film actress, she was known by the stage name Medea de Novara, particularly in Mexico. Her last film "Maria Magdalena", made in 1945, was also screened in Vaduz with great success. In 1951, she realised her childhood dream when, with her first husband Miguel de Contreras Torres (1899-1981), she bought Gutenberg Castle in Balzers, which in 1979 became the property of the state of Liechtenstein.
In 1993, Hermine Kindle de Contreras Torres financed a restrike of 1,000 gold medals (diameter 31 mm, weight 26.3 g, purity 900/1000) and subsequently acquired all shares and rights in this business. On her death in 2001, she left this part of her estate to her second husband, who several years later offered the plaster models to Wilfried Kindli, his late wife's nephew.
From 7 February 2014, this valuable donation is being exhibited, along with copies of the medal, as part of the permanent collection of Liechtenstein National Museum.
Press images:
http://www.landesmuseum.li/medieninfo or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/landesmuseum-liechtenstein/sets/72157640776260864/
Contact:
Liechtenstein National Museum
Prof. Dr. Rainer Vollkommer
Director
Städtle 43, PO Box 1216
9490 Vaduz
Principality of Liechtenstein
Tel.: +423-239-68-20
Email: info@landesmuseum.li
http://www.landesmuseum.li