Vrede van Rijswijk 1697

Editor: Here we have a silver engraving by Christian Wermuth, "Vrede van Rijswijk," commemorating the Peace of Rijswijk in 1697. It feels very official, almost cold in its presentation. What story do you think it’s trying to tell? Curator: Well, let's not mistake "official" for neutral. This wasn't just a record; it was propaganda. Who commissioned it, and what message were they trying to disseminate? Peace in 1697 meant something different depending on your identity – noble, peasant, colonizer, colonized. What does a celebration of peace elide? Editor: So, it’s less about historical record and more about power dynamics? Curator: Precisely. This medal presents a particular narrative. Notice how it centers "Europa," bathed in divine light? The symbols used served specific interests in defining and celebrating European dominance. Think about who *isn't* represented here and the impact that had. Editor: I see the text on the other side that seems to document the Treaty, but focusing only on who benefits definitely changes my perspective. Were these types of coins distributed widely? Curator: Likely among elite circles – further solidifying their control over the narrative and the symbolic language surrounding peace and power. How might different communities who were impacted by these political actions interpret this celebratory imagery? Editor: It's a strong reminder that art, even something as seemingly objective as a commemorative coin, is deeply embedded in the social and political context of its time, serving particular agendas. Curator: Exactly. The act of memorializing isn't neutral. It's a choice, one that demands we question who is remembered, and how and more importantly, why. We are invited to engage with what peace truly means beyond this object.