Zeeslag bij Kaap La Hogue, de Fransen verslagen door de vloot van Engeland en Holland 1692

This silver medal was made by Jan Smeltzing to commemorate the Battle of La Hogue. The imagery was likely achieved through a process called striking, using dies to impress the design onto the metal. The choice of silver elevates the material beyond the everyday, yet the medal's small scale and weight make it feel like a precious token, something to be held and circulated. The medal’s visual language speaks to a moment of intense political and naval conflict, but also to the skilled labor required for its production. The meticulous detail of the ships and portraits suggests a careful engagement with the material, coaxing it into a form that conveys both power and artistry. Medals like these occupy a fascinating space between art, craft, and political propaganda. They remind us that even the smallest objects can carry significant cultural weight, embodying complex narratives of skill, conflict, and commemoration.