Plaquette met Pan en Syrinx 1575 - 1600

This plaquette depicting Pan and Syrinx was created by Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen around the early 17th century from silver. The process used to create this round relief involved hammering and punching the design from the back, a technique called ‘repoussé’. Look closely, and you’ll see how the material has been worked to create a dynamic scene, full of depth and detail. The figures of Pan and Syrinx, along with the surrounding landscape, emerge from the surface with a tactile quality. The chasing process, where the front is refined with tools to sharpen the details, is evident in the crispness of the forms and the intricate textures. The considerable labor involved in creating this piece speaks to the value placed on skilled craftsmanship during this period. The material itself, silver, would have been a luxury commodity. The distinction between art and craft becomes blurred when we consider the technical skill and artistry required to transform a simple material into an object of beauty and narrative.