Derde eeuwfeest van de Reformatie 1817

This small silver medal commemorates the third centenary of the Reformation and was created by Gottfried Bernhard Loos. The medal's circular form, a self-contained world, frames two distinct scenes. On one side, Martin Luther stands tall, robed and holding a book, his figure taking up most of the medal. On the other side, a castle sits atop a hill, rendered in meticulous detail, the background stark and empty. The inscriptions in capital letters that circle the images are not just labels but become integral structural elements that define the visual space. The contrast between the figure of Luther and the fortress creates a dialogue about power, faith, and authority. One is represented by the individual, the other by the institution. The medal, therefore, isn't merely commemorative, it invites us to contemplate the dynamic interplay between individual belief and established power. It reminds us that the meanings we derive from art are contingent and evolving.