Penning ter nagedachtenis van Daniël Parvé (1644-1679) 1679

This is a memorial coin for Daniël Parvé, who died in 1679. Made by an anonymous artist, the circular, golden form is divided into two distinct sides, each conveying symbolic weight through its structure and composition. One side features an elaborate coat of arms, its intricate details deeply embossed. The symmetrical arrangement of heraldic elements, framed by swirling foliage, speaks to a structured societal order and perhaps, the subject's status within it. On the opposing side, cherubic figures encircle a central inscription, their forms creating a sense of ethereal enclosure around the text. Below, skulls punctuate the lower register, stark reminders of mortality. The coin invites us to consider the interplay between personal identity and collective memory. The structured heraldry and the emotive, almost baroque, rendering of cherubs and skulls, underscore the complex negotiations between life, death, and legacy in the 17th century. The golden material emphasizes the enduring impact of an individual life.