Nicholas I. Imperial Academy of Arts 1830.
Silver prize medal. Signed by P. Utkin. 46 mm. 42,6 gr. R1. A.XF. Diakov 492.5.

Obverse with a lyre lying on an ancient column, a painter's palette with brushes to the right, and a male head to the left. In exergue 1830 and signed with УТКИН (P. Utkin).
Reverse with a four-line inscription on a raised medallion within a wreath:

ОТВ
ИМПЕРАТОРСКОЙ
АКАДЕМЇИ
ХУДОЖЕСТВЪ
(from imperial SPB Academy of Arts).

This medal was awarded to students of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. This academy was founded in 1757 to educate artists and honor practicing artists like painters, sculptors, architects,
engravers, and medalists. Between 1760 and 1850, 1804 student artists had studied at the Academy.
Nicholas I was very attentive to the special needs of the artistic community and during his reign, the
Academy’s role in artistic affairs of the state grew significantly.

Lit: Diakov4, 59-61; Perkins, 51-63.