Aansporing tot eendracht 1588

This is Paulus van Wtewael's 'Aansporing tot eendracht,' a small medal of just 2.9 cm diameter, created without a known date. The medal is divided into two distinct scenes, each a study in contrast and thematic unity. One side depicts figures with oxen, illustrating labor and communal effort through the parallel lines of the animals' bodies and the ground they tread. The other scene presents boats amid water, using horizontal lines to convey the fluidity and motion of the sea, counterpointed by the static image of the city in the background. The interplay between these scenes creates a dialogue about the balance between land and sea, labor and leisure, stability and change. It can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of the Dutch Republic's reliance on both agriculture and maritime activities. The medal thus functions as a semiotic device, prompting reflection on the intertwined nature of economic prosperity and social cohesion.