Prins Hendrik en het zinken van de SS Berlin 1907

This bronze medal, commemorating Prince Hendrik and the sinking of the SS Berlin, was created by Jacob Jan van Goor. The medal's form is a direct result of the die-striking process by which it was made, where a design is engraved into a metal die, and then pressed with great force onto a blank disc. This specialized form of metalworking is rooted in traditions of minting, and lends itself to multiples. The choice of bronze, a relatively inexpensive and durable material, also speaks to the medal's intended circulation. The image on the medal's reverse depicts the tragic event. On the obverse, a portrait of Prince Hendrik. His likeness serves as a poignant reminder of human loss. The text translates to 'Whatever happens, the Brandwonden stays loyal'. In this context, the medal's creation may also point to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Considering the materials, making, and context involved, we begin to see the full meaning of such artwork, which challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.