Zeeslag bij Vigo (Vigos): het verbranden van de Franse en Spaanse vloot 1702

This silver medal was made by Jan Boskam, likely around 1702, commemorating the naval battle of Vigo. Medals like these were struck using a die, an engraving tool which is hammered into a metal surface. Notice the crispness of the imagery. On one side is an allegorical battle scene and on the other, a portrait of Queen Anne. Silver's inherent qualities of malleability and reflectivity would have added to its appeal. But beyond its aesthetic attributes, the choice of silver also has a social significance. Silver, a precious metal, signals the importance of the event being commemorated, and underscores its intended audience: the political and economic elite. The production of these medals involved skilled labor, from the design and engraving of the die to the striking of the medals themselves. The medals would serve not only as keepsakes, but as symbols of power and prestige. Considering the material, making process, and cultural context, enhances our understanding of its historical significance, and challenges any distinctions between fine art and craft.