Overwinning van de bondgenoten op de Fransen en voorstellen voor vrede 1705

This silver medal, made by Christian Wermuth, commemorates the Allied victory over the French in 1704 and proposals for peace. The image displays the complex interplay between artistic production and political power in the early 18th century. The medal’s imagery creates meaning through visual codes. The three columns on the front, adorned with symbols of power, likely represent the key nations in the Allied forces. The inscriptions, in Latin, further emphasize the victory and the desire for peace. Made in the Dutch Republic, this piece reflects a time of significant political and military upheaval in Europe, marked by the War of the Spanish Succession. The Dutch Republic, as a major player in the conflict, used art like this medal to bolster national pride and legitimize its political actions. Historians would consult archives, political pamphlets, and diplomatic records of the period to fully understand the medal's purpose. Artworks like this show us that art is always shaped by the social and institutional contexts in which it's created.