Inname van Dinant en Huy door de Fransen 1699 - 1703

This bronze medal was made by Jean Mauger, a celebrated French medalist, to commemorate the capture of Dinant and Huy by the French army. A medal like this begins with design and model-making, likely in wax or clay. The image is then translated into metal, using the techniques of casting, chasing, and engraving. Consider the sheer amount of work involved in creating this object. The die striking to create this medal requires considerable skill and precision to transfer the design onto the metal. The bronze material itself lends a sense of gravitas and permanence to the depicted event. Bronze is a relatively inexpensive material, but can be finished to resemble gold or silver. In this case, the bronze would be appreciated for its ability to finely render details. We can see the medal not only as a celebration of military victory, but also as a testament to the skill and labor involved in its production. This challenges the traditional art historical view of medals as simply historical documents, highlighting instead their status as crafted objects.