Vereniging van Engeland en Schotland 1707

This silver medal, made by John Croker, commemorates the union of England and Scotland. The visual language is fascinating. On one side, we see a portrait of Queen Anne, rendered in profile with the inscription ANNA D:G.MAG.BR. FRA.ET.HIB.REG, identifying her as Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. The reverse shows the crowned shields of England and Scotland supported by cherubs, with roses and thistles below, symbolizing the joining of the two nations. The motto 'QVAE DEUS CONIVNXIT NEMO SEPARET' translates to 'What God has joined together, let no man put asunder', which is a clear statement about the permanence of the political union. This medal was struck in 1707 when the Act of Union came into effect. This was a time of immense political and social change in Britain. To truly understand this medal, we have to look at the broader historical context, researching political pamphlets, parliamentary records, and personal letters to understand the significance of the union from different perspectives. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.