Johan Georg IV, keurvorst van Saksen trekt de Rijn over 1692

This silver medal, depicting Johan Georg IV, Elector of Saxony, was made by Philipp Heinrich Müller. The cool thing about medals like this is that they were essentially made using miniature sculpture. First, the design would be carved into a hard material like steel in great detail. Then, this would be used as a die to strike the medal in a softer metal, like silver. The silver is forced into every nook and cranny of the die, producing a near-perfect impression. This particular medal commemorates a military action: Johan Georg IV crossing the Rhine. Look at the way Müller has depicted the scene. The level of detail achieved is remarkable. Notice the textures of Johan Georg's armor and hair, the musculature of the figures, and the expressions on their faces. All this was achieved through the meticulous work of the medalist, who was not only an artist but also a skilled technician. Thinking about the process reminds us that even small objects can carry great cultural weight. The medal is a record of history, an assertion of power, and a testament to human skill.