Hoop op vrede (1907) 1907

This bronze medal, "Hope for Peace," was made in 1907 by Hippolyte Le Roy. I wonder what it would have been like to work on such a small scale? One side shows figures gesturing in front of the inscription "Pro Pace," Latin for "For Peace." The other side depicts a ship on stormy seas, a symbol of hope amidst turmoil. I can imagine Le Roy meticulously carving into the die, thinking about the weight and feel of the metal, and what it means to hold in your hand. Looking at the stormy seas on one side, and the promise of peace on the other, I am reminded of the power of art to reflect both the hardships and aspirations of humanity. The medal connects us to a history of people hoping for a better future. It embodies the artist's intention, captured in metal, and passed down through time.