Driehonderdvijftigjarige herdenking van de inname van Brielle 1922 1922

This is Chris van der Hoef's "Driehonderdvijftigjarige herdenking van de inname van Brielle", a medal made in 1922 to commemorate an historic event. It’s small, almost jewel-like in its detail, but its real value lies in how it makes us reflect on time and memory. Look closely at the surfaces. The raised lettering and figures aren't just decoration; they give the medal a tactile quality. The way light catches on these forms creates tiny shadows, defining depth and form. It’s incredible to think that a design of this complexity was carved into metal! The process of making medals has a lot in common with printmaking, where the artist makes a matrix and then uses this to produce multiple near identical versions. But each medal is also a unique object, with slight variations in tone and texture. Consider someone like Cornelia Parker, who makes art from pressed pennies. Both artists show an interest in imbuing everyday objects with historical or emotional weight. It reminds us that art is less about fixed meanings and more about ongoing conversations across time.