Oproer te Middelburg, door de schutterij gedempt 1704

This silver medal titled 'Suppression of the riot in Middelburg by the militia' was created by Jacob van Dishoecke, commemorating an event in the history of the Dutch Republic. Reflecting the complex social dynamics of the 17th and 18th centuries, this piece offers insight into the relationships between civic order, military power, and public unrest. The choice to depict this event through the imagery of classical antiquity—with its allusions to power and order—serves to legitimize the actions of the militia and reinforce the prevailing social hierarchy. The medal also prompts us to consider who is absent from this narrative. Whose voices were silenced in the quelling of this riot? Whose perspectives are not memorialized in this triumphant scene? This piece leaves us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in historical narratives and the importance of seeking out alternative perspectives.