Verheffing van Willem III tot opperbevelhebber van land-en zeemacht 1672

This small medal was made in the Netherlands to commemorate William the Third’s appointment as commander-in-chief. Though we don’t know the artist's name, we can deduce a great deal from the material and the way it was worked. The medal is bronze, a relatively inexpensive material that could be cast in multiples. The imagery on both sides is quite detailed, especially William's flowing wig and the muscular horse he rides. But it’s not exactly high art, is it? The whole point of this object was to communicate a political message far and wide. The medal is small and easily carried, perfectly suited for distribution among a broad public. It is a potent example of how the techniques of craft can be mobilized for political ends, blurring the lines between art, propaganda, and everyday life. It reminds us that power can reside in the humblest of materials.