Painting Pictures: An Olympic Event?
Say what?
Believe it or not, at one time the modern Olympic games did include painting competitions.
Art competitions formed part of the modern Olympics during its early years, from 1912 to 1948. The competitions were part of the original intention of the Olympic Movement's founder, Baron de Coubertin. Medals were awarded for works of art inspired by sport, divided into five categories: architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture.
The Art competitions at the 1924 Summer Olympics were the first time that such events were contested seriously, with 193 entries in five categories. A total of 14 medals were awarded, though none were given in the music category.
That Crazy Luxembourger
Luxembourger Jean Jacoby studied at the École des Beaux-Arts at Strasbourg in Alsace and became an art teacher (1912-18), then a church painter at Wiesbaden, before he returned to Strasbourg, taking over the management of a printing company and working as well as an illustrator for newspapers.
Jacoby often depicted sports in his works and designed postage stamps for Luxembourg. These stamps commemorated the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki and the 1952 World Cycling Championships.
Most Decorated Olympic Artist Ever
Jacoby would win a gold medal for his painting Three Sports Studies in Paris in 1924 and his painting Rugby in Amsterdam in 1928, as well as two Honorable Mentions in the 1932 and 1936 games in Los Angeles and Berlin respectively, making him the most decorated Olympic artist ever.
So as the Olympic Games return to Paris this summer after 100 years be reminded: In the 1924 Paris games someone actually did receive a gold medal in painting.