Overlijden van Johannes Samuel Swaan, student theologie aan de universiteit van Utrecht 1834

This bronze commemorative medal, likely made shortly after 1834, poignantly marks the death of Johannes Samuel Swaan, a theology student at Utrecht University. The medal is cast, a process that allows for detailed relief on both sides. One side shows a skull and crossbones, symbols traditionally associated with mortality. On the reverse, inscriptions mark Swaan’s identity and dates of birth and death. The crisp, raised lettering is typical of the casting process. Although anonymous, the artist was clearly a skilled hand. The modeling of the skull is quite detailed, and the lettering on the reverse is neatly rendered. Note also the medal’s small size; such intricate work at this scale would have demanded considerable skill. While mass production was on the rise in the 19th century, this medal speaks to a slower, more deliberate mode of production. It embodies the labor and care that was invested in marking a life, and the cultural importance of memorial objects during that era.