Eerste slag : Michiel de Ruyter Vijfje before 2007

Martijn Engelbregt made this coin, “Eerste slag : Michiel de Ruyter Vijfje,” without a set date, using metal. Look at the way the light radiates from the center, almost like a sunburst. This coin is like a little world, isn’t it? And the marks, they're not just decorations; they build the whole image. The texture is smooth, cool, metallic, and the monochrome palette adds to the feeling of importance. It's hard to imagine the touch of the artist, as coin-making is a more industrial process than painting, but you can see the conceptual hand at work. Zoom in on the lettering. The way the letters are arranged around the edge—it's almost a pattern, a rhythm. It gives you a sense of history, labor, and communication all at once. Engelbregt reminds me a little of Jasper Johns, with his interest in everyday objects and signs. Both artists invite us to look closely at the things we take for granted and find new meaning in them. Art is a conversation that continues and changes across time.