Slag bij Ramillies 1706

This small silver medal, commemorating the Battle of Ramillies, was made by John Croker, an engraver working in the early 18th century. Consider the labor involved: the mining and refining of the silver itself, before Croker even began his work. Then, the meticulous engraving, a process of incremental removal that demands precision, control, and deep knowledge of the material. Medals like this were struck to celebrate victories and cement political power, and they were made possible by a complex system of production and consumption. Although it appears to be an object of fine art, it's also tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and trade. So, next time you see a medal, remember it’s not just a shiny object, but also a testament to the power of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork. It challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft, revealing a more complex story of human ingenuity and historical context.