MONTANA, Pietro (1890-1978) Italian-American sculptor, medalist.
Born Alcamo, Italy, 29 June 1890. Came to America
as a youth. Work almost entirely of religious subjects.
Signed models PM monogram inside circle.
Fellow: National Sculpture Society.
Winner 1931 Elizabeth M. Watrous Sculpture Gold Medal.
Winner 1959 National Sculpture Society Lindsey Morris
prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Died Bayville, New York, 6 July 1978.
R E L I E F S
n.d. My Parents Bas-Relief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
n.d. Labor, Love, Power, Humanity Relief (two plasters mounted
together on wood) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions: Rago Art & Auction (12 May 2012) [1/6] lot .278
1915 Ieto (Francis) Portrait Relief (cast by Gorham) . . . . . . . .
1915 Nurse and Man Relief (cast by Gorham). . . . . Gorham QBCI
1964 Pope Paul VI Portrait Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhibited: AE8 {1965} NSS 32nd Annual cat, (no illus) 71
M E D A L S E R I E S
Society of Medalists:
Born Alcamo, Italy, 29 June 1890. Came to America
as a youth. Work almost entirely of religious subjects.
Signed models PM monogram inside circle.
Fellow: National Sculpture Society.
Winner 1931 Elizabeth M. Watrous Sculpture Gold Medal.
Winner 1959 National Sculpture Society Lindsey Morris
prize for best bas-relief (including medallic art).
Died Bayville, New York, 6 July 1978.
R E L I E F S
n.d. My Parents Bas-Relief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
n.d. Labor, Love, Power, Humanity Relief (two plasters mounted
together on wood) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auctions: Rago Art & Auction (12 May 2012) [1/6] lot .278
1915 Ieto (Francis) Portrait Relief (cast by Gorham) . . . . . . . .
1915 Nurse and Man Relief (cast by Gorham). . . . . Gorham QBCI
1964 Pope Paul VI Portrait Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhibited: AE8 {1965} NSS 32nd Annual cat, (no illus) 71
M E D A L S E R I E S
Society of Medalists:
1957 Society of Medalists 55rd Issue. . . . . . MAco 1930-001-055
Auctions:. . . . CAL 30:66, CAL 31:277-278, CAL 33:3055,
CAL 35:2055; J&J 9:395, J&J 11:1051; PCA 45:1774,
PCA 49:1238, PCA 58:1868, PCA 60:1515, PCA 63:1720,
PCA 65:1757, PCA 72:1811, PCA 74:620
Archives: Inventory of Am Sculpture . . . . . IAS 76007213
Collection: American Numismatic Society [>1] . 1957.77.1
Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art . . . . . . . . . 57.73
Exhibited: AM13 {2002} AMSA Old Lyme Academy
Boys and Girls Emblem Series:
(See note under Felicity Burnelli, who issued these
medals following her aviation Medal-Of-The-Month Series.)
Auctions:. . . . CAL 30:66, CAL 31:277-278, CAL 33:3055,
CAL 35:2055; J&J 9:395, J&J 11:1051; PCA 45:1774,
PCA 49:1238, PCA 58:1868, PCA 60:1515, PCA 63:1720,
PCA 65:1757, PCA 72:1811, PCA 74:620
Archives: Inventory of Am Sculpture . . . . . IAS 76007213
Collection: American Numismatic Society [>1] . 1957.77.1
Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art . . . . . . . . . 57.73
Exhibited: AM13 {2002} AMSA Old Lyme Academy
Boys and Girls Emblem Series:
(See note under Felicity Burnelli, who issued these
medals following her aviation Medal-Of-The-Month Series.)
1951 Boys Citizen Peace Medal (modeled by Pietro
Montana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1951-032, (1)
Illustrated: S64 {2012} Waterson. Felicity Buranelli, p .. 38
1953 Girls Citizenship Peace Medal (modeled by Pietro
Montana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1953-037, (2)
Illustrated: S64 {2012} Waterson. Felicity Buranelli, p .. 41
Life of Christ (Vita Christi) Series:
1971 The Annunciation Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-1
1971 The Nativity Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . FM VCS-2
1971 The Flight Into Egypt Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . FM VCS-3
1971 The Baptism of Jesus Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-4
1971 The Sermon on the Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-5
1971 The Entry Into Jersusalem Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-6
1972 The Last Supper Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . FM VCS-7
1972 Jesus Before Pilate Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-8
1972 The Crucifixion Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-9
1972 The Descent from the Cross Medal . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-10
1972 The Resurection Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FM VCS-11
1972 The Ascension Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-12
Complete Set of 12 medals:
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 48:1516
M E D A L S
Montana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1951-032, (1)
Illustrated: S64 {2012} Waterson. Felicity Buranelli, p .. 38
1953 Girls Citizenship Peace Medal (modeled by Pietro
Montana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1953-037, (2)
Illustrated: S64 {2012} Waterson. Felicity Buranelli, p .. 41
Life of Christ (Vita Christi) Series:
1971 The Annunciation Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-1
1971 The Nativity Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . FM VCS-2
1971 The Flight Into Egypt Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . FM VCS-3
1971 The Baptism of Jesus Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-4
1971 The Sermon on the Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-5
1971 The Entry Into Jersusalem Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-6
1972 The Last Supper Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . FM VCS-7
1972 Jesus Before Pilate Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-8
1972 The Crucifixion Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. FM VCS-9
1972 The Descent from the Cross Medal . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-10
1972 The Resurection Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .FM VCS-11
1972 The Ascension Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FM VCS-12
Complete Set of 12 medals:
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 48:1516
M E D A L S
1933 First Prayer Plaquette . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1933-015
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 58:1950, PCA 80:1706
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCA 58:1950, PCA 80:1706
1934 Baptismal Medal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-027
1934 Confirmation (Boy's) Medal . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-042-001
1934 Confirmation (Girl's) Medal . . . . . . . MAco 1934-042-002
1934 Confirmation (Girl's) Medal . . . . . . . MAco 1934-042-002
1934 Engagement Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-025
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 29:690; J&J 8:1506, J&J 10:244,
J&J 21:1356
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 29:690; J&J 8:1506, J&J 10:244,
J&J 21:1356
1934 Marriage Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-044
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 29:691; J&J 8:1507, J&J 10:245
Auctions:. . . . . . CAL 29:691; J&J 8:1507, J&J 10:245
1934 Saint John the Baptist Medal . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-020
1934 Three Wise Men Medallion . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1934-048
Auctions:. . . . . . . J&J 9:746, J&J 11:896; CAL 35:340
Auctions:. . . . . . . J&J 9:746, J&J 11:896; CAL 35:340
1937 Zuckor (Adolph) Silver Jubilee Die Cast Medal (has
the unusual appearance of Mason jar lid) . . . MAco 1936-005
Auctions:. . . . . J&J 21:1671; CAL 29:2143; NAS 72:275;
PCA 46:1284, PCA 55:1662, PCA 65:1846
the unusual appearance of Mason jar lid) . . . MAco 1936-005
Auctions:. . . . . J&J 21:1671; CAL 29:2143; NAS 72:275;
PCA 46:1284, PCA 55:1662, PCA 65:1846
1937 Zuckor (Adolph) Plaquette. . . . . . . . . . MAco 1936-032
1952 Hudson Valley Art Association Medal [dates/issued:
1952-71] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1952-036
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 10:844; PCA 66:502
1956 Crucifix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1956-065
1952-71] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1952-036
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 10:844; PCA 66:502
1956 Crucifix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAco 1956-065
1956 American Institute of Mining, Metallurgic & Petroleum
Engineers Frank J. Tone Medal. . . . . . . . MAco 1956-051
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 8:1180
Engineers Frank J. Tone Medal. . . . . . . . MAco 1956-051
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 8:1180
1960 Brooklyn College Distinguished Alumni Medal . MAco 1960-078
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 11:1394, J&J 18:720
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 11:1394, J&J 18:720
1960 Youth Consultation Service Huntington–Manning
Medal (obv by Montana; rev by Ramon Gordils) MAco 1960-063
Medal (obv by Montana; rev by Ramon Gordils) MAco 1960-063
1961 Mount Saint Mary's College John DuBois Medal MAco 1961-046
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 18:807
A R C H I V E S
AAA Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 4.4 linear ft.
GA Gorham Company Archives.
IAS Inventory of American Sculpture (online).
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
AE8 {1923} NSS Exhibit Catalog, p 260.
D8 {1926} Fielding, p 245, 497.
AE6 {1929} NSS Exhibit Catalog, p 231.
BA {1937} Who's Who In American Art: 1937 [1ed:297],
1939 [2ed:369], 1941 [3ed:452],
1947 [4ed:324], 1953 [5ed:292],
1956 [6ed:331], 1959 [7ed:403],
1962 [8ed:431], 1973 [11ed:520],
1976 [12ed:396], 1978 [13ed:494].
AEx {1965} NSS Small Sculpture, Bas Reliefs, Medals, 71.
B35 {1967} Who's Who.
A13 {1968} Proske, p 251-253.
P20 {1970} The Work of Pietro Montana. National Sculpture Review (Summer 1970).
AA1 {1972} Archives of American Art, 353, p 96.
A18 {1974} Goode, p 330-331.
101 {1977} Montana (Pietro) Memories; An Autobiography.Hicksville, NY: Exposition
Press (1977) pp, illus. [Relates tale of medals made in depth of depression, 1934
--he states this was 1940--complaines Medallic Art paid him little in royalties,
pages 188, 121. Relates later series for Franklin Mint and Metal Arts, p 170.]
BF1 {1985} Falk, p 427.
D33 {1986} Opitz, p 633.
AE1 {1988} Falk, p 3:333.
D37 {1993} Soria, p 125.
BF2 {1999} Falk. Who Was Who in American Art, p 2:2312.
N U M I S M A T I C R E F E R E N C E S
P2 {1957} Society of Medalists 55th Issue by Pietro Montana The Numismatist 71:1 (January 1958) p 14, illus.
MA1 {1988} Stahl (Alan M., editor) The Medal in America. ¦ Joseph Veach Noble "The
Society of Medalists" & Circle of Friends of Medallion, pp 223-247.
AE5 {1990} National Academy of Design, p 364.
Px {2004} Mirabella (Stephen) The Hickory Museum of Art American Arts Quartery
(May 2004).
M68 {2012} Alexander (David Thompson) American Art Medals, 1909-1995; The
Circle of Friends of Medallion and the Society of Medalists, p 154-155.
S64 {2012} Waterson (Harry) The Medal-Of-The-Month Club Produced, Written and
Directed by Felicity Buranelli. Branson Missouri: Author; p 38-40, 41-42;
(bio) p 67.
Auctions:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J&J 18:807
A R C H I V E S
AAA Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 4.4 linear ft.
GA Gorham Company Archives.
IAS Inventory of American Sculpture (online).
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
AE8 {1923} NSS Exhibit Catalog, p 260.
D8 {1926} Fielding, p 245, 497.
AE6 {1929} NSS Exhibit Catalog, p 231.
BA {1937} Who's Who In American Art: 1937 [1ed:297],
1939 [2ed:369], 1941 [3ed:452],
1947 [4ed:324], 1953 [5ed:292],
1956 [6ed:331], 1959 [7ed:403],
1962 [8ed:431], 1973 [11ed:520],
1976 [12ed:396], 1978 [13ed:494].
AEx {1965} NSS Small Sculpture, Bas Reliefs, Medals, 71.
B35 {1967} Who's Who.
A13 {1968} Proske, p 251-253.
P20 {1970} The Work of Pietro Montana. National Sculpture Review (Summer 1970).
AA1 {1972} Archives of American Art, 353, p 96.
A18 {1974} Goode, p 330-331.
101 {1977} Montana (Pietro) Memories; An Autobiography.Hicksville, NY: Exposition
Press (1977) pp, illus. [Relates tale of medals made in depth of depression, 1934
--he states this was 1940--complaines Medallic Art paid him little in royalties,
pages 188, 121. Relates later series for Franklin Mint and Metal Arts, p 170.]
BF1 {1985} Falk, p 427.
D33 {1986} Opitz, p 633.
AE1 {1988} Falk, p 3:333.
D37 {1993} Soria, p 125.
BF2 {1999} Falk. Who Was Who in American Art, p 2:2312.
N U M I S M A T I C R E F E R E N C E S
P2 {1957} Society of Medalists 55th Issue by Pietro Montana The Numismatist 71:1 (January 1958) p 14, illus.
MA1 {1988} Stahl (Alan M., editor) The Medal in America. ¦ Joseph Veach Noble "The
Society of Medalists" & Circle of Friends of Medallion, pp 223-247.
AE5 {1990} National Academy of Design, p 364.
Px {2004} Mirabella (Stephen) The Hickory Museum of Art American Arts Quartery
(May 2004).
M68 {2012} Alexander (David Thompson) American Art Medals, 1909-1995; The
Circle of Friends of Medallion and the Society of Medalists, p 154-155.
S64 {2012} Waterson (Harry) The Medal-Of-The-Month Club Produced, Written and
Directed by Felicity Buranelli. Branson Missouri: Author; p 38-40, 41-42;
(bio) p 67.