Vroedschapspenning van de stad Alkmaar Possibly 1693

Curator: Looking at this Vroedschapspenning, or council's medal, likely from 1693, the sheer weight of history feels almost tangible. Editor: My first thought is balance. Two figures mirroring each other, a set of scales in the center. Very formal and...deliberate, shall we say? Curator: Precisely. Crafted in metal relief, this piece is attributed to Romeyn de Hooghe, a master of the Baroque. Notice the allegorical figures, probably representing justice and prosperity, flanking a detailed cityscape, likely Alkmaar itself. Editor: And those lions... almost an afterthought, yet grounding the entire composition. But what intrigues me is the tension between the geometric rigidity and the flowing lines of the figures' drapery. It creates a really dynamic interplay. Curator: It's that push and pull that keeps it alive, isn't it? The medal wasn't just a symbolic object, but a statement. A tangible reminder of the city council's power, literally imprinted with images of their values. Editor: You know, looking closer at the figures, the details of their faces, there's almost a playful quality. Or is that just my imagination filling in the gaps after centuries? Curator: Not at all. De Hooghe often infused a human element into his official works. A subtle wink that transcends the purely ceremonial. That's what makes him such an interesting artist to consider even now. Editor: So, more than just an object, it's a sort of a microcosm—power, prosperity, justice all compressed onto this small round design? It feels remarkably relevant, really. Curator: Indeed. History compressed, contemplated, and carried with a singular objective for centuries. A small piece, and quite marvelous.