Vrede van Munster 1648

This silver medal, with a diameter of 4.3 cm, was created by Johann Blum to commemorate the Peace of Munster. The medal presents a circular composition divided into two distinct sides, each framed with a decorative border that enhances its symbolic function. One side features a figure of peace, elegantly posed above discarded weaponry, holding symbolic objects. The arrangement of elements creates a textured surface, with allegorical representations of destruction giving way to peace. The inscription that surrounds the figure is integral to the medal’s semiotic system, reinforcing the theme of peace and reconciliation. The other side of the medal features a dense block of text encircled by a floral border. The textural contrast between the intricate border and the smooth field of text invites tactile exploration, underscoring the medal’s status as a historical artifact meant to be both seen and felt. This medal acts as a coded object, encapsulating a moment of historical significance through its form and material.