Eerste Nederlandsche Jaarbeurs te Utrecht 1917 1917

This bronze medal, commemorating the First Dutch Trade Fair in Utrecht, was crafted in 1917 by Chris van der Hoef. Look at the way he's layered images and text across the surface, like an etching or a print. I can only imagine van der Hoef at his workbench in the midst of wartime, carefully carving each tiny detail, from the ship's sails to the heraldic symbols. What was he thinking as he translated the energy of a trade fair into such a small, solid form? The ship feels to me like a symbol of trade and exploration, with the caduceus on the opposite side perhaps alluding to innovation or the healing power of commerce. It's funny to think how this object preserves a specific moment in time, but also connects to broader themes of progress, industry, and national identity. The weight of the bronze in your hand would remind you that artists and their processes are part of an ongoing conversation.