Op de demping van het aansprekersoproer te Amsterdam naar aanleiding van de keur op het begraven 1697

This silver medal, crafted by Martin Schmeltzing in 1697, commemorates the suppression of the undertakers' riots in Amsterdam. On one side, we see the figure of Justice bestowing a crown upon Amsterdam, a classical motif representing the restoration of order and civic virtue. Such imagery echoes the Roman concept of "virtus," where leaders were celebrated for their strength and moral rectitude. This motif of rewarding virtue appears throughout history, from ancient coins to Renaissance paintings, each time adapted to suit contemporary ideals and political contexts. Note how the act of bestowing a crown, a universal symbol of power and authority, touches something deep within our collective consciousness. The desire for order, the fear of chaos – these are primal forces engaging viewers on a subconscious level, transcending the specific event depicted. This medal thus becomes a powerful artifact, embodying the cyclical nature of history.