Vrede van Rijswijk 1697

Curator: Here we have a medal crafted by Georg Hautsch in 1697, commemorating the Peace of Rijswijk. It's a Baroque piece, struck in metal using the relief technique. Editor: It's so intricate! Almost makes you want to pocket it... not that one should, of course! The detail is amazing for something so small, a tangible symbol... of, presumably, peace. There’s something delicate about the silvery shimmer. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the socio-political backdrop here: the late 17th century, the end of the Nine Years' War. The medal served as a propaganda tool, celebrating the Dutch Republic's role in mediating the conflict. Its metallic form – probably silver – connects directly to notions of wealth and power, intended to circulate these ideas amongst people. Editor: Propaganda, huh? The little angel blowing the trumpet above the building…Rijswijk, I assume. Gives off this self-satisfied vibe; very "we did it!" Don’t you think there’s a degree of triumphant bombast here, in miniature? I mean, the figure on the other side holding what appears to be a peace branch seems oddly stern for such a celebratory artwork. Curator: Bombast, perhaps! But controlled and meticulously rendered within the physical and material constraints of medal making. Consider the labour involved; die-cutting, striking. Even the specific alloy composition could have conveyed meaning regarding the Dutch Republic's capabilities, resources, and skill at that point in history. Editor: True, I get so caught up in the imagery I overlook the labor that's actually baked right into the object! It is incredible how that metal practically shines out through centuries; I keep imagining it exchanging hands between the diplomats who achieved that Peace of Rijswijk. The weight and coolness… the gravity of a diplomatic decision transformed into something you could hold in your palm. Curator: Exactly, the artwork provides unique insight into that era's social values. Looking closely into the artistic process can really open up perspectives. Editor: I’ll keep that in mind… maybe resist the urge to fondle artworks quite so passionately in the future. Thanks!