Johannes Bernouilli, wiskundige te Basel, penning geslagen op last van zijn vijf zonen 1767

Curator: Here we have a bronze medal created in 1767 by Johann Ulrich Samson. It's titled "Johannes Bernouilli, mathematician in Basel, medal commissioned by his five sons." Editor: The family connection lends it a distinctly personal feel, doesn’t it? Even though the baroque style gives it a formal air, there is warmth and love that emanates from it. The two sides are striking on first view – portrait and commemorative text are well executed. Curator: Exactly. This piece exists very much in the realm of family and civic pride. Medals like this circulated within specific social spheres, reinforcing status and familial legacy. Commemorative medals during the Baroque era often served as miniature monuments. Editor: I agree! Notice how the wreath motif, reminiscent of classical laurel wreaths symbolizing honor and victory, encircles the dedication. The visual cues signal enduring respect. What strikes me is that the portrait almost deifies Bernouilli by imbuing it with familiar honorific motifs and techniques. Curator: You're spot on about the wreath. It frames the Latin inscription “FILIIS HOC SUI MONIMENTUM PERMISERUNT MDCCLXVII” which tells us directly it was "allowed by the sons as a monument of themselves". This wasn't just about Bernouilli's accomplishments, but the lineage and continuation of that legacy through his sons. Editor: Fascinating, how it reinforces social structures while conveying love. The symbols carry that weight beautifully; from the portrait echoing antique busts to the very material suggesting lasting remembrance, this family really did want to immortalize him and them. Curator: It makes you think about the families who were immortalized in paintings that grace museum walls. There's always a complex interplay of affection and civic performance. Editor: Definitely. This baroque commemorative feels almost alive with that tension. It gives it a humanity that can still speak today. Curator: Yes, a small, but rather weighty statement on legacy. Editor: And a reminder how personal stories shape our broader understanding of art.