Verbranding van Johannes Hus 1690 - 1691

Editor: This is an engraving, titled *Verbranding van Johannes Hus*, or *The Burning of Jan Hus*, created around 1690 by Christoph Jakob Leherr. The miniature scale really emphasizes the immensity of the events it portrays; what strikes you most about its composition? Curator: For me, it's the stark contrast between the portrait of Hus on one side, seemingly calm and composed, and the graphic depiction of his execution on the reverse. Consider how these two images, when combined on a single object, comment on power dynamics and the creation of martyrs. The medal reframes the legacy of Hus a century and a half later, transforming a condemned heretic into a symbol of religious conviction. What's the effect of pairing text with the image? Editor: I think it gives a sense of authority to the engraving. The text is integrated in both faces of the medal, and they provide concise information and context for understanding the portrayed scenes and meaning. What else can you tell me? Curator: I find it fascinating how the production of such medals, particularly in the context of the late 17th century, speaks to the politicization of historical figures like Hus. Remember that such engravings aren't simply neutral records; they are interventions in ongoing debates about religious authority and historical memory. To whom were these medals aimed, and what arguments were they meant to support? Editor: That makes me see how much an object like this carries beyond the aesthetic, acting as a statement and part of a larger conversation about history and power. Curator: Precisely. Studying how historical figures are represented, reinterpreted, and deployed in art reveals much about a society’s own anxieties and aspirations.