Mico Kaufman

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]

Mico Kaufman
Born1924
Buzău, Romania
DiedDecember 12, 2016
OccupationSculptor

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 Reagan'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 Reagan: 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 Tewksbury Public Library, Middlesex Community College, the Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover, MA, and University of Massachusetts Lowell.[12]

References
  1. "Mico Kaufman". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  2. "Mico Kaufman (1924-2016) | National Sculpture Society". Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  3. NEILSON, LARZ F. (24 December 2016). "The most amazing life of sculptor Mico Kaufman". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  4. "Whistler honors sculptor Mico Kaufman". Lowell Sun. 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  5. "Mico KAUFMAN (1924) - Biography, life, background and work by Artprice". Artprice.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  6. "Artist Page". medallicartcollector.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  7. alicia@yourtowncrier.com, ALICIA WINOKUR News Correspondent (30 July 2016). "Landscaping at Wamesit Indian Park puts statue in spotlight". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  8. alicia@yourtowncrier.com, ALICIA WINOKUR News Correspondent (6 August 2016). "Local sculptor Kaufman pens memoir". Homenewshere.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  9. "Renowned Tewksbury sculptor trades his chisel for a pen". Lowell Sun. 2016-02-17. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  10. Reiter, Ed (1984-12-16). "Numismatics; the Inaugural Medal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  11. "Renowned Tewksbury sculptor Mico Kaufman dies (SLIDESHOW)". Lowell Sun. 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
  12. "Kaufmann's Art Heading Home to Tewksbury". AP NEWS. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
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