Tweede eeuwfeest op het overleveren van de Augsburgse geloofsbelijdenis op de Rijksdag 1730

This silver medal was made by Martin Holtzhey to commemorate the second centenary of the Augsburg Confession in 1730. The Augsburg Confession was a defining document of the Lutheran Reformation, first presented to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1530. This medal is a fascinating artifact of religious and political identity in the Dutch Republic. The imagery on the front, with scales representing justice and truth, speaks to the enduring significance of the Confession. Holtzhey was active during a time of intense religious debate and the medal reflects the importance of the Reformation to Dutch identity. Understanding this medal requires careful research into the religious and political history of the Dutch Republic and how institutions shape the production and reception of art. By consulting historical documents and theological treatises, we can better understand the values and beliefs that this object embodies.