Bernd Göbel: The artist behind the portrait medals of the Emperor Otto Prize

On 2 July, the city of Magdeburg will present its most important award for the 10th time: the Emperor Otto Prize. To mark this anniversary, two personalities, pianist Igor Levit and violinist Lisa Batiashvili, will be honoured for the first time for their socio-political commitment and thus also for the first time as artists. One artist, on the other hand, has been involved since the first award ceremony in 2005: The sculptor Bernd Göbel has been making the portrait medals of the award winners ever since. Reason enough to also focus on his work.

Bernd Göbel is one of the most renowned German sculptors and medallists of the present day. The former professor of sculpture at the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design is a medallist of international renown. Bernd Göbel’s artistic oeuvre is extensive: in plaques, small sculptures and free works of art for public spaces, he deals with contemporary historical events as well as current themes and discourses.
Bernd Göbel has dedicated a significant part of his work to medals, in particular portrait medals. In addition to the Leopoldina, for which he has created more than 20 portraits of scholars, the state capital of Magdeburg has also commissioned portrait medals. The finished pieces are unique and bear witness to the artist’s engagement with the honoured personalities.

Since 2005, the city, together with the Emperor Otto Cultural Foundation, has awarded the prize of the same name, which is the highest honour bestowed by the state capital of Magdeburg. The Kaiser Otto Prize sends a clear message: Europe needs courageous and determined individuals who are committed to the European community and to living together in tolerance, diversity and understanding so that we can all live together in peace and freedom.
In recognition of their outstanding services to the European unification process and the promotion of the European idea, the award winners receive a medal with portraits of the honourees on the front and the monogram of Emperor Otto the Great on the reverse. An honour could hardly be more individual, personal and artistic.

Photo credit: © Eva Göbel