Mico Kaufman

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Mico Kaufman (1924 - 2016) was a sculptor.[1] Born in Buzău, Romania in 1924, Kaufman was best known for making inaugural medals for United States Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.[2] He survived a Nazi labor camp during World War 2 and in 1951 immigrated to the United States.[3] He lived in Tewksbury, MA and died on December 12, 2016 at the age of 92.[2]

Early life[]

Kaufman was born in Buzău, Romania on January 3, 1924.[4] He was educated at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.[5] He is related to violinist Louis Kaufman.[6] For three years during World War 2, Kaufman worked in a forced labor camp.[3] He left the camp at the age of 21[4] and eventually immigrated to the United States in 1951 and moved to Tewksbury, MA in 1964.[7]

Body of Works[]

Touching Souls
"Touching Souls" at Tewkesbury Abey by Mico Kaufman

His preferred materials include bronze, stainless steel, and plastic.[5] He was a freelance artist for the Medallic Art Company and designed over 300 medals for them, including 192 medals for their American Bicentennial and the Judaic Heritage series.[6]

National Medal of Technology and Innovation
Kaufman's winning design for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation

His design was selected for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation award.[6] He was a member of the Society of Medalists. In January 2016 he published his book A Chiseler's True Story: The Art of Mico Kaufman.[8][9]

Awards[]

Inaugural Medals[]

At the time of Ronald Regan's second inauguration, it was noted that Kaufman was the second artist in the history of the series to make this many medals.[10]

  • Gerald Ford: Vice Presidential and Presidential[10][11]
  • Ronald Regan: Presidential (second term)[10][11]
  • George H.W. Bush: Presidential[2][11]

Public Works and Locations[]

Six of his works are located in Tewksbury and another six are located in Lowell.[11]

Upon his death, pieces from his collection were donated to local libraries including , Middlesex Community College, the Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center at https://www.rollingridge.org/ in North Andover, MA, and University of Massachusetts Lowell.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Mico Kaufman". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  2. ^ a b c "Mico Kaufman (1924-2016) | National Sculpture Society". Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  3. ^ a b NEILSON, LARZ F. "The most amazing life of sculptor Mico Kaufman". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  4. ^ a b c "Whistler honors sculptor Mico Kaufman". Lowell Sun. 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  5. ^ a b "Mico KAUFMAN (1924) - Biography, life, background and work by Artprice". Artprice.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  6. ^ a b c d "Artist Page". medallicartcollector.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  7. ^ a b c d alicia@yourtowncrier.com, ALICIA WINOKUR News Correspondent. "Landscaping at Wamesit Indian Park puts statue in spotlight". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  8. ^ a b c d alicia@yourtowncrier.com, ALICIA WINOKUR News Correspondent. "Local sculptor Kaufman pens memoir". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Renowned Tewksbury sculptor trades his chisel for a pen". Lowell Sun. 2016-02-17. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  10. ^ a b c Reiter, Ed (1984-12-16). "Numismatics; the Inaugural Medal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  11. ^ a b c d "Renowned Tewksbury sculptor Mico Kaufman dies (SLIDESHOW)". Lowell Sun. 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  12. ^ a b "Kaufmann's Art Heading Home to Tewksbury". AP NEWS. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
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