February 2, 2012 – When you think about the Renaissance, coins would rarely be the first thing that would spring to mind. That is set to change with the unveiling of the Royal Australian Mint’s latest display “Shadows and Perspective: The Influence of the Renaissance on Contemporary Coin Design” still available to see until April 9, 2012.
A glance into the display. Photo: Royal Australian Mint.
This display reveals the techniques used by the Mint’s internationally recognised coin designers to depict space, depth and even time on coins and medallions. These techniques owe a lot to the innovations of the artists of the Renaissance.
“It’s amazing to think that techniques devised and revived during the Renaissance are still some of the main methods used when designing coin designs today,” said Royal Australian Mint Chief Executive Officer Mr Ross MacDiarmid.
The display showcases rare and limited edition coins and medallions made by the Royal Australian Mint. Photo: Royal Australian Mint.
“We owe the main techniques used to transform a coin from a flat piece of metal into a work of art, such as perspective and shadowing, to the Renaissance era,” said Mr MacDiarmid.
“This display showcases rare and limited edition coins and medallions made by the Royal Australian Mint as well as some very well-known pieces that are shown in a whole new light.”
From major civic projects such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the Adelaide to Darwin railway, to the native platypus, the Mint’s coin designers fit all of these onto their tiny coin canvasses thanks to the legacy of the artists of the Renaissance period.
More information on how to visit the Royal Australian Mint and see the display you will find here.