Vrede van Rijswijk, penning geslagen op last van de magistraten van Amsterdam 1697

This silver peace medal, commissioned by the magistrates of Amsterdam, was created by Jan Boskam. Notice how its circular form divides into two distinct yet complementary halves, each presenting a complex symbolic tableau. One side is dominated by a heraldic arrangement, a dense layering of emblems, crests, and a crown, all rigidly organized. The opposite face features figures in a ship amidst turbulent waves, rendered with a dynamic and pictorial style. The Latin inscription 'Tuta tenet aequora' hints at stability. The formal juxtaposition of the two sides suggests a duality: the ordered world of civic power versus the unpredictable forces of nature and commerce. The rigid structure of heraldry, typically used for communicating identity and authority, contrasts with the fluidity of the sea scene. Boskam exploits this contrast to suggest that peace is maintained through a delicate balance of order and resilience.