The Man of Sorrows [obverse] 1631

Sebastian Dadler created this silver medal, “The Man of Sorrows,” in 1631. Its iconography speaks to the religious and political turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War. Dadler's image presents a suffering Christ, crowned with thorns, a visual representation of sacrifice and redemption that resonated deeply in a Europe ravaged by conflict. The inscription "Vulnera Christi," meaning "the wounds of Christ," reinforces this theme of suffering. Dadler made this medal during the Counter-Reformation; as such, his work supported the Catholic Church in response to the rise of Protestantism. Historical records, theological texts, and contemporary accounts can further illuminate the complex interplay of faith, power, and artistic expression that shaped this small, yet powerful, object. By understanding the conditions of its creation, we can better grasp the enduring significance of art as a mirror reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of its time.