Verbranding van Johannes Hus in 1415 c. 1515 - 1715

Editor: This is a fascinating metal sculpture from sometime between 1515 and 1715, entitled "Verbranding van Johannes Hus in 1415", which translates to "The Burning of Jan Hus in 1415". The detail is extraordinary for such a small object. It's at the Rijksmuseum. It has an almost clinical feeling despite depicting a rather brutal scene. What jumps out at you about this piece? Curator: Immediately, it is the interplay between surface and depth that captures my attention. Observe how the artist utilizes the limited space to create distinct planes. The text encircling the central images, both obverse and reverse, function as a textured border, almost a frame. Then, note the deliberate rendering of the figures; one a detailed portrait, the other a more symbolic depiction of martyrdom. What semiotic devices do you recognize? Editor: Well, I suppose the portrait gives it a sense of authority, and the flames suggest both destruction and, perhaps, purification? But tell me more about what you mean by the relationship between surface and depth in a sculpture like this. Curator: Certainly. Consider the flatness of the metal itself – a finite surface. Yet, within that, the artist has meticulously created a sense of receding space. The figure of Hus, for instance, is rendered in higher relief, drawing our eye and creating a focal point. The texture also adds a sense of dimension; the contrast between smooth and engraved areas is striking. Do you agree that the use of language functions structurally as an enclosure to these images? Editor: Yes, I do. It almost traps the images. The coin shape also adds a layer of meaning, given it’s function as an artifact that commemorates the past. Curator: Precisely. The circular format and inherent symbolism of metal imbue it with symbolic richness that a painting might lack. Consider the choice of metal— likely silver. How does the intrinsic value of the medium affect your reading of the work? Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn’t considered that before. Thanks, that gives me a whole new perspective on how to understand the piece.