Happiness

Happiness

Happiness is a quality characteristic of the multifaced work of Chaim Gross, who repeatedly praises life and God in all of his art. He was born in eastern Galicia, in the Carpathian mountains, to a poor Jewish family with a rich cultural heritage. He has worked in nearly all media: painting, sculpting, bronze casting, glass, weaving, and fabrics, but is primarily a sculptor in wood. His work draws inspiration from the Hassidic heritage with its firm belief in the joy and miracle of life. His works decorate public buildings and are exhibited in the great museums. In 1963 he received an award from the New York Academy of Art and Letters.

Obverse: Chaim Gross' drawing depicting a flower in bloom. The word "happiness" in Hebrew. On the silver and gold medals, the flower is hand-colored in enamel. On the bronze medal, the flower, differently designed, is not enameled.

Reverse: The well known sculpture of Chaim Gross depicting children dancing. On both side of the statue, along the circumference, the name of the sculpture, "HAPPY CHILDREN". Below, the artist's name "CHAIM GROSS". The reverse of the 12.5 mm. and 14 mm. gold medals is like that of the Wedding Day Medal - a hand presenting a bouquet made up of the Hebrew letters of "with love".

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL' in Hebrew on right and in English on the left. On the bronze/tombac medal, "BRONZE" in Hebrew and English; on the 26 mm. silver medal, "S 999"; on the 37 mm. silver medal, "Silver 135" in Hebrew and English; on the 22 mm. gold medal, "G»585" in Hebrew and English; and on the 30 mm. gold medal, "G-750" in Hebrew and English. The 12.5,14, and 18 mm. gold medals are milled (some of the 12.5 mm. gold medal are smooth).

Designer: Chaim Gross. Inscriptions - Reuven Nutels

Engraving: Chaim Gross.

Mint: Bronze/tombac - Hecht. Silver and 22 and 30 mm. gold - The Government Mint. 12.5 mm. gold - Credit gold. 14 mm. gold - Kretschmer.