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Preview image of work. iron,  The Sinking of the Lusitania 37146
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1978.32.52.b

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The Sinking of the Lusitania

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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.