This was the first of four art exhibitions that were held in Gothenburg, Sweden. Artists from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark attended. The next three exhibitions were held in 1881, 1886, and 1896.
This is a rare variant of this medal. The normal version has the front view of the school while this medal has the rotated view. According to Hildebrand, this obverse design was "rejected" in favor of the other design.