Degen van ambtskostuum van burgemeester Hoytema c. 1900 - 1977

This sword—or degen—is part of the official costume of Mayor Hoytema, and was made by an anonymous artist. Imagine the maker, working metal with fire and hammer. This isn't just a weapon; it's a symbol. Think of the hours spent on the handle, each curve and flourish a testament to craft. It reminds me of my own process, where I chip away at a painting, adding, subtracting, until it reflects the feeling I'm chasing. This sword represents power, sure, but also tradition, civic duty. I wonder what the artist thought about as they worked: the weight of responsibility? The honor of the commission? It connects them, and us, to a history, a set of ideas about leadership and representation. Maybe, like a painter, the artist hoped the user would appreciate the detail and the care in its creation.