O medalu dla Zofii Potockiej .......... 813

ABOUT THE MEDAL FOR ZOFIA POTOCKA

Countess Zofia Potocka of the Branicki family (1790–1879) was one of the well-known figures of 19th-century Cracow. She devoted herself to charitable activities and was the patron of many works of art. She also cared about the condition of Cracow’s monuments. After the fire in Cracow in 1850, she organised aid for the population and supported the rebuilding of destroyed houses and churches.
This article discusses the history of the creation of the medal for Zofia Potocka, which she received for her services to Cracow from its grateful residents. The idea of striking a medal emerged as early as 1851, but it was only realised in 1867 due to political circumstances. The medal was made by the renowned Viennese medallist Karl Radnitzky, probably based on the concept of the Cracow councilor, Count Piotr Moszyński. The completion of the medal’s history was made possible thanks to materials preserved in the National Archives in Cracow.