Medalists Symbolism
Auguste de Niederhäusern, better known as Rodo, was a Swiss sculptor and medallist. He is considered one of the most influential representatives of Swiss Symbolism.
In 1892 Rodo took part in the Salon de la Rose-Croix exhibition and for the next six years was a collaborator of Auguste Rodin.
Between 1900 and 1902, Rodot created several works for the Federal Palace in Bern, which was under construction: at the top of the pediment is a sculptural group symbolising political independence, executive and legislative power; he also created the capstones on the arched windows of the south façade.
Constant Montald was a Belgian painter, muralist, sculptor, and teacher. In 1874, while receiving an education in decorative painting at the technical school of Ghent during the day, Montald also enrolled in the evening-classes of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. There he won in 1885 a competition and received a grant from the city which enabled him to live and study briefly in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts. In Paris he painted his first monumental canvas, The Human Struggle. In 1886, Montald went on to win the Belgian Prix de Rome. He then went on a grand tour of Italy. He traveled extensively until he eventually settled in Florence, where he made preparations for a Grand work he eventually completed in Rome. This grand work, titled "Social Contradictions", was kept in the basement of the Royal Museum of Art and History of Brussels after it was displayed there in 1890 after being sent over from Rome. The First World War prevented Montald from painting Monumental works, instead he focused on painting on an easel. Montald co-founded the group L'art monumental. This group promoted a decorative monumental style connected to architecture.
