Afbeelding van penning ter ere van mr. Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, raadpensionaris der Bataafse Republiek, beschermer van godsdienst en vaderland, handhaver van kunst en wetenschappen 1805 - 1844

This is a representation of a medal, likely made in the early 19th century, honoring Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, a prominent figure in the Batavian Republic. It's rendered in graphite, ink and paper, humble materials for such a commemorative purpose. The choice of such modest materials—pencil, ink, and paper— invites us to think about the work's accessibility and reach. A drawing, unlike a struck medal in precious metal, could be easily reproduced and widely distributed. Look closely, and you can see the meticulous work involved in rendering the medal's details, from the inscriptions to the heraldic crests. This labor-intensive process contrasts sharply with the industrialized minting of coins or medals, highlighting a different kind of value: the value of skilled handcraft. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that the meaning of an object isn't solely determined by its material worth or fine art status, but by the social and cultural context in which it's created and received. It challenges us to reconsider the distinctions between "high" art and craft, and to appreciate the significance of everyday materials in conveying important messages.