Balthasar Bekker, predikant te Amsterdam, door de synode te Alkmaar afgezet 1692

This silver medal depicting Balthasar Bekker was created in 1692 by Jacob van Dishoecke. The medal commemorates the deposition of Bekker, a controversial minister in Amsterdam, by the Synod of Alkmaar. In the Dutch Republic of the late 17th century, religious and intellectual life were deeply intertwined with social and political power. Bekker's rejection of superstition and belief in the devil challenged deeply held beliefs. The medal reflects the intense social and institutional conflict surrounding his ideas, a conflict which pitted progressive and conservative elements within the church against one another. The inscriptions on the medal, written in Dutch, express support for Bekker and criticize the synod's decision. Understanding this medal requires delving into the religious, intellectual, and political history of the Dutch Golden Age. Scholars consult archival records, theological treatises, and pamphlets from the period to understand how these debates played out in the public sphere. This medal serves as a reminder that art objects are products of their time, reflecting the tensions and transformations of the societies in which they are created.