First Passenger Flight from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies 1927

This medal, commemorating the first passenger flight from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies, was made by Chris van der Hoef in 1921. Can you imagine the pressure of carving such intricate details into the surface of a medal? The sharp lines of the eagle’s head on one side contrast with the dense blocky text on the other. I wonder what van der Hoef was thinking about as he worked. Maybe he felt connected to the pilots, sharing their pioneering spirit and desire to push boundaries. As the incised lines echo the sleek geometry of early aircraft, the medal encapsulates a moment of optimism about the future. What a challenge to capture the thrill and danger of flight in such a small, solid object. Like a painter trying to capture light and movement on a canvas, Van der Hoef had to find a way to convey a sense of speed and adventure within the confines of the circular shape. It’s a reminder that artists across different mediums are all wrestling with the same basic problems of representation and expression.