Medaille met portret van Erasmus uit 1519 1881

Auguste Danse created this print of a medal with a portrait of Erasmus in 1889. Danse has rendered in meticulous detail the subtle gradations of light across the medal’s surface. The medal itself would have been made by a master goldsmith or silversmith, using techniques like chasing and engraving. A mold may have been produced first. Each of these processes demanded both artistic flair and an intimate understanding of the material. Striking this medal would have involved repetitive actions by skilled laborers. We can see a similar process mirrored in Danse’s print. He had to master traditional artistic techniques of hatching and stippling to mimic the metal of the original medal. In essence, this print is not just a representation; it's a testament to the labor and craftsmanship embedded within the original. By appreciating the making of this print, we can understand how craftsmanship plays a crucial role in giving objects social and cultural meaning.