Oproer te Utrecht 1612

This is a bronze medal made by an anonymous artist, commemorating the riot in Utrecht. The medal is quite small and lightweight, reflecting its purpose as a means of circulating a political message. Bronze is a durable material, allowing for the intricate designs to be preserved. The imagery and text were likely impressed using dies, a technique requiring skilled metalworking. This process speaks to the medal's function as a propaganda tool. The act of minting many identical pieces suggests an intent to disseminate a particular viewpoint widely. Notice the hole in the medal. This suggests it was worn as a badge, literally embodying the wearer's allegiance. It's a small object, but it tells a big story about political unrest, skillful making, and the use of objects to carry meaning in society.