1978.32.52.b
The Sinking of the Lusitania
Artist
Karl Goetz
(1875 - 1950)
Title
The Sinking of the Lusitania
Creation Date
1916
Century
early 20th century
Classification
Medals/Plaquettes
Creation Place
Europe, Germany
Medium and Support
iron
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Salton
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1978.32.52.b
Karl Goetz was one of the most prolific German medalists of the early twentieth century. He is best known for his political satire, as well as his introduction of German expressionism into medallic art. His satirical medals, sometimes critical of German leaders, got him into predicaments throughout his career. However, the Lusitania medal remains Goetz’s most controversial work. After making a public statement attributing his erroneous date of “May 5” to a faulty newspaper, Goetz reissued a second edition of the medal with the correct date of “May 7.” Despite Goetz’s attempt to downplay his date mishap, the medal will forever be associated with the “May 5” edition because of the brilliant British propaganda campaign suggesting that the May 5 date intentionally anticipated the attack.