Medal Given by Isaac Pontanus to his Grandson on his Eighth Birthday by Anonymous

Medal Given by Isaac Pontanus to his Grandson on his Eighth Birthday 1688

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metal, engraving

portrait

baroque

metal

decorative-art

engraving

Dimensions diameter 9 cm, weight gr

This medal, commissioned by Isaac Pontanus for his grandson, presents a complex visual field on a circular plane, realized in a shining, reflective gold. The surface is densely packed with figures, symbols, and text, demanding close observation to decipher its layered meanings. The composition is structured around a central inscription, framed by allegorical figures and objects which draw on classical mythology and humanist ideals. These elements—cherubic figures, draped fabrics, and the figures of a man carrying another on his shoulder—are not merely decorative. Semiotically, they function as signs pointing to themes of virtue, intellect, and familial legacy. The medal's circular form reinforces a sense of completeness and continuity, emblematic of the eternal values Pontanus wished to impart. Ultimately, the medal, with its intricate engraving and symbolic density, transcends its function as a mere object. It serves as a philosophical statement, encapsulating the cultural and intellectual aspirations of its time.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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In the past, important events were graced with a medal, especially in well-to-do families. The occasion for this was usually a birth, wedding, or death. These medals not only remained in the family as a memento, but were also given to the guests at the baptism, wedding party, or funeral. Sometimes they were purely private in character, such as the gold medal a grandfather gave to his grandson.