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Karl Goetz Most Popular Paintings

The 8 artworks by Karl Goetz our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 8 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Karl Goetz · 1875 – 1950

The Sinking of the Lusitania Obverse (1915) by Karl Goetz

1915 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

Discover this striking 1915 bronze medal by Karl Otto Götz depicting the sinking of the Lusitania, a powerful piece of WWI commemorative art you can own.

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #1: The Sinking of the Lusitania Obverse

Art Movement: Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

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American Neutrality Obverse (1915) by Karl Goetz

1915 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

A striking bronze medal depicting Woodrow Wilson amidst eagles, crafted by Karl Otto Götz during the Art Informel period. This detailed 1915 piece captures American neutrality with powerful symbolism and a rich golden-brown hue – discover this unique artwork.

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #2: American Neutrality Obverse

Art Movement: German Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

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The Baralong Incident Obverse – Karl Goetz

1915 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

The medal’s symbolism reflects the broader context of WWI naval warfare and Götz's artistic legacy as a champion of German Art Informel. This striking bronze medal depicts a fist rising from the sea confronting the British Union Jack, representing the audacious sinking of U-27 by HMS Baralong. Executed in 1915 by Karl Otto Götz, it commemorates the event and underscores the German demand for just

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #3: The Baralong Incident Obverse

Art Movement: German Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 8 artworks by Karl Goetz
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

The King Stephen Incident Obverse (1916) by Karl Goetz

1916 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

Discover 'The King Stephen Incident Obverse' by Karl Otto Götz – a dynamic bronze medallion depicting a ship sinking. Explore Art Informel, symbolism & textured relief sculpture.

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #4: The King Stephen Incident Obverse

Art Movement: Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

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German U-boats in America Obverse (1916)

1916 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

Experience the explosive abstract energy of Karl Otto Götz's work, capturing dramatic historical moments from the early 20th century; discover this masterpiece today.

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #5: German U-boats in America Obverse

Art Movement: Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

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The Fourteen Points Obverse (1918) by Karl Goetz

1918 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

Explore this striking 1918 commemorative medal design by Karl Otto Götz, capturing the historical weight of Wilson's Fourteen Points; discover a piece of profound art history.

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #6: The Fourteen Points Obverse

Color Palette: Neutrals

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America’s Peace Objectives Obverse by Karl Goetz, 1917

1917 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

Explore Karl Otto Götz's 'America’s Peace Objectives Obverse,' a monumental bronze medallion depicting Woodrow Wilson and symbolizing German Art Informel's bold aesthetic. Explore the explosive abstract art of Karl Otto Götz (1914 – 2017), a key figure in German Art Informel. Discover his surrealist-inspired paintings, innovative television art & influence on artists like Polke & Richter. karl o

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #7: America’s Peace Objectives Obverse

Art Movement: German Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

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Karl Goetz, German Reply to Wilson, Either, Or Obverse (1916)

1916 · American Numismatic Society, New York City

View the most popular artwork of Karl Goetz ranked #8: German Reply to Wilson, Either, Or Obverse

Art Movement: German Art Informel
Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 8 artworks by Karl Goetz
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$18132 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Karl Goetz

1875 – 1950

Quick facts

Died1950
Creative periodsmature period
Top-ranked workThe Sinking of the Lusitania Obverse
Typical colorsrosy brown
Emotional tonereflective
Museums on APSAmerican Numismatic Society
Mediumsbronze
Copyright statusPublic domain

Biography

The Sculptor of Turmoil

In the bustling atmosphere of Augsburg, a child was born in 1875 who would eventually shape the very metal of history. Karl Goetz did not merely observe the shifting tides of his era; he captured them in bronze and silver. As a German sculptor and engraver, his hands worked with a precision that turned small, circular canvases into powerful instruments of social commentary. He was a man of many circles, finding his place within the Munich Artist Society and the Munich Numismatic Society, as well as the Austrian Association for Numismatics in Vienna. His life was defined by the tension between fine artistry and the biting edge of satire.

His work often arrived at moments of profound global upheaval. During the First World War, his medals became more than mere objects of commemoration; they were weapons of propaganda and mirrors of intense political emotion. He possessed a talent for distilling complex, often controversial, international incidents into singular, striking images. His ability to communicate through the medium of the medal allowed his voice to travel far beyond the borders of Germany, reaching audiences through the mass production of his designs.

A Record of Conflict and Commentary

The precision of his engraving was matched only by the controversy his subjects often ignited. He was a man who understood the weight of a single image, using his dies to react to the most polarizing events of the early twentieth century. His output during the years of war was particularly prolific, focusing on the shifting allegiances and tragedies that defined the era.

The sinking of the RMS Lusitania, a tragedy he addressed through his 1915 medal.
The complex diplomatic maneuvers of the Great War, captured in his 1916 engravings.
The political aspirations of peace, reflected in his 1917 and 1918 works.

His artistry was not always met with universal acclaim. Some of his creations, such as the medal known as "The Watch on the Rhine," utilized racial overtones to protest the presence of colonial troops, a choice that earned him both notoriety and lasting infamy. He was a creator who did not shy away from the darkness of the human condition or the vitriol of political struggle. His medals were often replicas, distributed widely to spread a specific message, making his work a part of the daily visual landscape of a world at war.

The Legacy of the Engraver

By the time he passed away in 1950, Goetz had left behind a body of work that functioned as a metallic chronicle of a tumultuous age. His dies and hubs, the very tools of his trade, have been preserved as evidence of his technical mastery and his role as one of the most prolific medal artists of his century. Many of his pieces found their way into significant collections, including the Kaiser Friedrich Museum in Berlin, where they remain as silent witnesses to the passions of the past.

To look upon a Goetz medal is to see the intersection of high craft and raw, unvarnished history. He was a man who understood that a small piece of metal could carry the weight of a nation's anger, its grief, or its hope. His life was a testament to the power of the engraver's tool to carve a permanent mark upon the memory of the world.

Questions & Answers

Can I explore Karl Goetz's works by subject?

The Subject Atlas page maps Karl Goetz's artworks by subject.

What other names is Karl Goetz known by?

Karl Goetz is also known as Karl Xaver Goetz.

How can I see every artwork made by Karl Goetz?

Every work by Karl Goetz on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

By the WahooArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 25, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was the German sculptor Karl Goetz born?
Which organization was Karl Goetz a member of in Munich?
What type of art was Karl Goetz primarily known for creating?
Which famous event did Goetz commemorate with a medal designed in August 1915?
Where are many of Goetz's works currently on display?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Karl Goetz

Every artwork by Karl Goetz in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Karl Goetz