Fülöp Ö. Beck’s Liszt Interpretation in His 1911 Series of Plaques

Abstract

During his lifetime hundreds of portraits were made of Ferenc Liszt in a great diversity of genres by foreign and Hungarian artists alike. Medallists also commemorated Liszt on the centenary of his birth in 1911. Numerous one-sided medals and plaques were cast or struck but some of them, like that of Fülöp Ö. Beck, do have motives on the reverse as well. Beck had been working on a Liszt plaque for years. The starting inspiration was the Liszt mask he had personally received from the aging sculptor Alajos Stróbl. He prepared several designs for the reverse. The series of the reverse variations is significant because Beck’s aim was not to present an allegory about Liszt’s figure or create symbols for his compositions as was the custom in medal art, but to capture the essence and the infinity of music. Fülöp Ö. Beck’s Liszt plaque is an outstanding exponent not only of the Hungarian but the international medal art.