De verovering van Sluis weegt op tegen het verlies van Oostende 1604

This silver medal, created around 1604 by Gerard van Bylaer, commemorates the Dutch capture of Sluis. It reflects the complex dynamics of the Eighty Years' War, a conflict deeply intertwined with religious and political identity. Inscribed on the medal is a text praising God for the victory at Sluis, casting the event as a divine endorsement of the Dutch cause. This narrative downplays the human cost of war, subtly masking the experiences of those affected by the conflict. Representations of military victories often obscure the realities of war, glorifying power while marginalizing the stories of the impacted communities. This medal invites us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed. How victories are memorialized, and whose perspectives are included or excluded in these accounts. It prompts questions about the relationship between power, representation, and the collective memory of conflict.