Aanvang van 1745, op de hoop dat de oorlog dit jaar beeindigd wordt 1744

This silver medal, crafted in 1745 by Martin Holtzhey, presents a rich tableau of symbols reflecting hopes for peace. On one side, we see a seated female figure, Salus Publica, embodying public welfare, holding a spear, and next to her the caduceus of Hermes. These are ancient symbols. The caduceus, entwined with snakes, evokes healing and commerce, both essential for a flourishing state. The other side depicts a temple, its doors firmly shut, but a hand emerges with a key. The inscription reads “Clausura Belli Portae,” meaning “the gates of war are closed.” This recalls the Roman god Janus, whose temple doors were closed in times of peace. It’s a powerful, timeless gesture, signaling the fervent desire to end conflict. Here, Holtzhey touches upon a primal longing for respite from the turmoil of war, a yearning that echoes through the ages, constantly resurfacing in humanity’s collective memory.