Overlijden van Maria II van Engeland 1695

This lead medal, commemorating the death of Mary II of England, was made by Jan Boskam in the late 17th or early 18th century. Its circular form and somber gray hue speak to the gravity of the occasion. Lead is a soft, heavy metal, easily cast but also prone to oxidation, which lends the medal its weathered appearance. The artist skillfully used the material to create a detailed portrait of the Queen on one side, and a depiction of her funeral procession on the other. Lead medals like this one were often produced in multiples, serving as mementos for the political and social elite. Considering the context in which this medal was made, it stands as a reminder that even commemorative objects are products of labor, politics, and consumption. By appreciating the material and the making process, we can move beyond traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.