Huwelijk van Arnold van Citters Wzn., regeringslid van Middelburg en Sara Jacoba Ockerse 1737

Editor: Here we have a silver medal from 1737, commemorating the marriage of Arnold van Citters and Sara Jacoba Ockerse. It’s so tiny but packed with detail! It gives me a strong sense of formalized joy. What catches your eye? Curator: My attention is immediately drawn to the complex allegorical imagery. Note how classical figures intertwine with what appears to be divine intervention. What do you make of the figures emerging from the clouds? Editor: They look like cherubs bringing light, maybe representing divine blessing? It’s interesting that they mix classical imagery with Christian motifs. Curator: Precisely. And consider the use of classical figures – a commentary on the ideals of virtue, honor, and prosperity which this union presumably embodies? How does that symbolism resonate within the context of 18th century Dutch society? Editor: I guess it connects the couple to these established ideas of status and morality, it's almost like branding. Does the text add another layer to the symbolism? Curator: Absolutely. Inscriptions act as verbal anchors to the visual narrative, reinforcing specific virtues or aspirations associated with the marriage. Consider also, that medals like these served as keepsakes. What memories were they meant to evoke, or ensure were properly instilled, when they were held and looked at? Editor: I never thought about it as a tool for memory. It’s fascinating how one little object can tell us so much about the values and aspirations of a specific time. Curator: Exactly! It prompts us to think about how visual symbols become interwoven with social identity. Each image, each emblem, has a story.