Our myths - Our roots

The world exhibition of modern medallic art takes place in Munich for the first time (FIDEM XXXVIII). On display will be 500 art medals from over 30 countries, designed by 350 artists and oscillating between classical form and modern small sculpture. The works from Europe, Oceania, Asia and America, which have already won awards in their countries of origin, will 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 is part of a 500-year-old tradition that originated in Renaissance Italy and found its most famous representative in Germany with 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 or American medallic art often takes up political themes, countries such as the Netherlands and Latvia are known for their 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 takes place from 15-18 October. The event is organised by the Staatliche Münzsammlung München under the direction of the Fédération Internationale de la Médaille d'Art and its President Philip Attwood, former Director of the British Museum London. The patron of the event is HRH Duke Franz of Bavaria. In addition to the State Coin Collection, the State Collections of Antiquities, the Central Institute for Art History and the Amerikahaus are the venues. 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.

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Last edited on 16.10.2025