Nieuwjaarspenning op de zorgelijke toestand in de Nederlanden 1745 1745

Curator: Let's have a look at this "Nieuwjaarspenning op de zorgelijke toestand in de Nederlanden 1745," a Dutch medal made in 1745 by Nicolaas van Swinderen. What strikes you first? Editor: The worn metal speaks volumes. The low relief and the subtle scratching seem like tangible anxiety, reflecting the disquieting theme embedded in its symbolism. Curator: It’s quite intricate. On one side we have the scales of justice, and various symbolic elements like what looks like a serpent under them, evoking instability. Editor: Made of what, likely silver? That gleam against tarnish is suggestive of both hope and corruption... Did the original commissioner specify silver for that purpose, or was the decision tied only to material access and social signaling? Curator: That's interesting! These "Nieuwjaarspenningen," New Year's Pennies or Medals, often carried allegorical meanings reflective of the past year and hopes for the new one. Here, we see a balance disrupted, signaling the "zorgelijke toestand," the troubled state of the Netherlands, a commentary through carefully chosen visual vocabulary. Editor: The making would’ve required meticulous hand-crafting, wouldn’t it? From die-cutting to engraving those minute allegorical details. The embodied labour itself adds meaning, doesn't it? Think of the craftspeople involved, their own financial situations, perhaps precarious amidst this national worry. Curator: Absolutely. And on the reverse, a Dutch lion, also rather worn, sits beside an altar with light emanating. It projects the continuity and endurance of Dutch identity amidst turbulent times. The iconography underscores the wish for national recovery and divine intervention. Editor: Beyond allegory and social commentary, the artifact points directly to production and circulation; someone minted this, someone purchased this, and others looked at it and understood—or misunderstood—the weighted symbols, so fraught with political context. Curator: The nuances captured in this small object truly illuminate the mindset of the time, revealing an era teetering between crisis and hope. It reminds us that collective sentiment often finds unique expression. Editor: Exactly, a seemingly simple metal object reveals complex historical realities. The physical experience of holding such an object today deepens that connection, making the past almost... palpable.