Discover the Art of Guy Scharff, Sculptor

We recently discovered that Guy came from a long line of world famous artists!   

Anton Karl Rudolf Scharff was an Austrian medalist and sculptor born on June 10, 1845, in Vienna. He was a renowned artist who specialized in creating medals and coins, and he indeed created a medallion for Johannes Brahms.  Anton Scharff came from a family of medalists, with his father being Johann Michael Scharff, a well-known Austrian medalist.  Anton studied at the Vienna Academy and later at the Engraving Academy at the Main Mint under Joseph Daniel Böhm. 

Throughout his career, Scharff held several important positions:

1. He became a coin engraver in 1868.
2. In 1881, he was appointed as the head of the Vienna Engraving Academy.
3. By 1896, he became the director of the same institution.

Scharff's work significantly contributed to the revival and flourishing of Viennese medallic art during his time. He created numerous medals, including those for Munich featuring portraits of King Ludwig II and Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria.

One of his notable works was the Johannes Brahms Medal in Gold, created for Brahms' 60th birthday in 1893. This confirms that Scharff was indeed the sculptor who created the medallion for Johannes Brahms.

He held important positions, including becoming the head of the Vienna Engraving Academy in 1881 and later its director in 1896.

His work significantly contributed to the revival of Viennese medallic art during his time, and he created medals for notable figures such as Johannes Brahms.  

Anton's work was widely appreciated and he was considered one of the leading medallists of the Austrian school.  

Anton Scharff passed away on July 5, 1903, in Brunn am Gebirge, Austria. His legacy in medallic art continues to be recognized, with his works being featured in various museums and collections.