Studio-Talk

MARBLE CINERARY URN

DESIGNED BY MAX PFEIFFER

other-world peacefulness which, at the graves of
those who in life were dear to us, softly recalls
them to our memories. In his cinerary urns
likewise, the shapes he has given them are so
characteristic and definite that they could hardly
serve for any other purpose. Their graceful
curves, unbroken by angles, symbolise, as it were,
that eternity without beginning or end which
presides over all mundane things. L. D.

UTRECHT.—Mr. J. C. Wienecke, whose
interesting and diversified work as a
medallist we have pleasure in intro-
ducing to readers of The Studio,
occupies a position on the staff of the Mint in this
city. Born in Prussia in the early seventies, of
Dutch parents, he studied first at the School of
Applied Art in Amsterdam, later at the Academies
des Beaux Arts in Antwerp and Brussels, and then
five years in Paris, under Professors Cola Rossi,
Julian, and Denis Puech. In 1898, on the occa-
sion of the coronation of Queen Wilhelmina, a
small competition was instituted by the city autho-
rities at Amsterdam for a plaquette to be presented
to the Queen as a memorial of the event, and this
gave Mr. Wienecke an opportunity to try his hand
78

at modelling on a small scale. He was placed
first, and the result encouraged him to pursue this
line of work. A vacancy occurring at the Mint
here, Mr. Wienecke applied and was successful,
but before commencing his duties underwent a
course of training at the Mint in Paris, under
Mons. Patey, " Maitre-me'dailleur" of the estab-
lishment, who took a warm interest in him.

A brief explanation of the various medals and
plaquettes by Mr. Wienecke, here illustrated, may
be of interest. The first, on page 79, is a' medal
offered annually in gold by the Syndicate of Sugar
Refiners in Java to the winner in a scientific or
technical competition. The small medal on the
same page is one given by the Dutch Minister
of- Marine to the winner of a race organised
by the Royal Marine Yacht Club. Below is
a large medal commissioned by admirers of
the eminent painter Joseph Israels, to com-
memorate his 80th birthday. The plaquette in the
centre of the page bears a portrait of the artist's
mother. The first plaquette shown on page 80
records the retirement of M. Van Eelde after
forty years' service at the Utrecht Mint. On the

CINERARY URN IN SERPENTINE STONE

DESIGNED BY MAX PFEIFFER