Vijftigjarig huwelijk van Gerrit Hooft, burgemeester van Amsterdam, en Hester Hinloopen 1757 1757

This silver medal commemorating the 50th wedding anniversary of Amsterdam Mayor Gerrit Hooft and Hester Hinloopen was made in 1757 by Johan George Holtzhey. The medal presents us with an opportunity to reflect on the values and social structures of the Dutch Golden Age. The imagery, featuring cherubs and symbolic gestures of union, speaks to the importance of family and lineage in maintaining social and political power. The inscription, a prayer for continued blessings on their descendants, reinforces the desire to preserve their legacy. As a historian, I'm interested in how institutions like the Amsterdam municipal government shaped the production and reception of art. Medals like these were often commissioned by the elite to celebrate their achievements and reinforce their status. By studying such objects and delving into archival records, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, power, and society in 18th-century Netherlands.