Portuguese sculptor João Duarte, 58, is the recipient of the J. Sanford Saltus Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Art of the Medal for 2011, by the American Numismatic Society, aimed to distinguishing artists in the field of contemporary medal making worldwide.

Duarte was honored for “his work with the FIDEM [Fédération Internationale de la Médaille d’Art], archives in Lisbon and his work to promote the art of the medal to students and young artists in Portugal,” FIDEM announced.

Born in Lisbon, Portugal, he is currently Professor of Sculpture and Medals at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon and Director of the Department for Research and Studies Volte Face – Contemporary Medals.

He is a graduate from the School of Fine Arts of Lisbon. Recognized as one of the most prestigious medal makers in the world, he has been awarded most national and international awards in the field.

In August of this year, sculptor João Duarte was invited by the British Art Medal Society of the British Museum in London to create their 2012 medal.

The awards ceremony will take place at the XXXII Art Medal Congress of FIDEM to be held in Glasgow, UK,  July 2012, hosted by the Hunterian Museum.

The American Numismatic Society is an organization dedicated to the study of coins, currency, medals, tokens, and related objects from all cultures, past and present. The Society’s headquarters in New York City has the foremost research collection and library specialized in numismatics in the United States.

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