Dood van Cornelis Witsen, burgemeester van Amsterdam 1669

Curator: Here we have a pair of metal relief medallions, pieces dating from 1669, commemorating the death of Cornelis Witsen, a burgemeester—or mayor—of Amsterdam. Editor: The cool, smooth metal creates an austere elegance, almost detached. The clean lines and precise profiles impart a sense of dignity and restraint typical of the period. Curator: Indeed, the circular format imposes a rigid boundary, mirroring the confines of mortality, which is further emphasized by the Latin inscription around the perimeter of one medallion. These circular boundaries delineate, constrain. Editor: But the very act of pressing the metal transforms it, imbues it with an additional layer of meaning beyond just the creation of the image. Consider the skill and the pressure necessary to impress such detail upon a hard material. Was it created using the die-striking method? What would this indicate about labour at the time? Curator: It also speaks volumes about the subject's elevated social position, as even in death, he merits a finely rendered portrait, classical in style, referencing busts of Roman senators and emperors. Note the subject's sculpted form—and the draping. Editor: Absolutely, we see how power continues to inscribe itself onto materials even when representing absence and loss. It's fascinating to consider what an artifact like this reveals about economic disparity in that era. One has to imagine the labour, the process, and social environment of creation to be able to better recognize Witsen’s privilege. Curator: Reflecting on the formal construction and execution of these medallions underscores how meticulously the Dutch Golden Age memorialized its notables, rendering fleeting existence in enduring metal. Editor: To witness how this reflects a system is essential, especially when one understands how labor is itself a material transformed into the shapes of wealth and representation.