Vrede van Rijswijk, penning geslagen door de stad Gent 1697

Curator: This striking metal penning, or medal, commemorates the Peace of Rijswijk in 1697, struck by the city of Ghent. It's attributed to Philippe Roëttiers. What are your initial impressions? Editor: Well, visually, it's…polished. Gleaming. It's got this pristine quality despite being so old. And there's a sort of swagger to the rider, isn’t there? Look at that horse! Curator: Absolutely. Consider the political context. The Peace of Rijswijk temporarily halted the expansionist ambitions of Louis XIV. Ghent, in celebrating this peace, is strategically aligning itself, isn't it? Remember that Ghent suffered considerably under French occupation. Editor: Oh, it’s interesting how cities can become storytellers through objects. Makes me think about the stories contemporary coins will tell a few centuries from now! I suppose in many respects, a penning like this is almost a press release from a very different era! Curator: Precisely. Notice the portrait on one side—it depicts Charles II of Spain. The imagery underscores the importance of Spanish sovereignty during this period. It speaks volumes about alliances, power, and even propaganda. Also, that is an exceptional Baroque portrait if you compare its style to some of its French contemporaries... The level of skill here shows remarkable precision. Editor: It really does. So, Roëttiers wasn't just crafting an object, but making a political statement, embedding messages of power and allegiance. And from a visual standpoint, creating a kind of timelessness—perhaps intended or not—with that beautiful metal sheen! Almost feels modern. Curator: A crucial point. How the peace treaty affected people on the ground: trade routes opening again, fear of invasion lessening, shifting power dynamics impacting everything. This one artwork really reveals a lot about that precise historical intersection. Editor: Yes, and the enduring power of art, or at least objects like this, to keep these moments and their underlying currents circulating in our collective memory. A coin of peace, shining across centuries... a beautiful paradox, actually! Curator: I completely agree, this dialogue between artistry and power that offers deep insight, well beyond its surface appeal. Thank you for exploring that complexity. Editor: Thanks. I love the stories that even very small objects can tell us.