Penning met op de achterzijde een lauwerkrans 1751 - 1816

Reinier Vinkeles made this print of a medal, whose date we don't know, using etching. It depicts two figures shaking hands, and on the reverse, a laurel wreath. The imagery gives us some clues about the social meanings of the artwork. Vinkeles was working in the Netherlands, a culture influenced by the classicizing trends of the Enlightenment. The figures, with their idealized bodies and classical drapery, signal a connection to the ancient world, with its republican values. The laurel wreath is another classical symbol, signifying victory and honor. This medal likely commemorated an agreement between two parties, perhaps a political alliance or a commercial partnership. We might consider the context in which Vinkeles was working, and the political structures of the Netherlands at that time. By exploring archives and historical sources, we can better understand the specific social context and therefore, the purpose of this medal.