Prijspenning van de Nederlandsche Athletiek Unie (1922) 1922

This bronze medal was made in 1922 by Chris van der Hoef, and it looks like such a cool object. The bronze has this slightly greenish, tarnished look that makes it feel like it’s been kicking around for a while, which I really dig. It's got a single figure of an athlete, captured mid-stride, that wraps around the inscription in this continuous rhythm. Looking at the surface of the medal, you can almost feel the push and pull of the artist’s hand, pressing into the material. The athlete's form is smooth and simplified, and the texture of the bronze itself feels solid, dense. The details are subtle, but they catch the light in such a way that the figure almost seems to be breathing, which gives it a real sense of movement. Notice the way the light catches the athlete's shoulder and how the shadow defines the curve of their back. Van der Hoef reminds me a bit of folks like the German artist, Ernst Barlach, who was also working with bronze around the same time. But where Barlach often explored darker, more existential themes, Van der Hoef seems to be celebrating the human spirit through sport. Ultimately, this medal is a testament to the power of art to elevate everyday objects into something truly special.