Drie penningen bij 400-jarig jubileum uitvinding boekdrukkunst door Coster, 1823 1823 - 1824

This print, made by Daniël Veelwaard in 1823, commemorates the 400th anniversary of Laurens Janszoon Coster’s supposed invention of printing. Its visual power lies in the arrangement of six circular medallions on a rectangular field, each a study in miniature composition. Note the contrast between the abstract, symbolic representations and the textual inscriptions. The upper medallions feature allegorical figures amidst radiant lines and wreaths, symbolizing glory and invention. Below, the 'Vroedschaps penningen' depict scenes of early printing, rendered with detailed lines. At the bottom, architectural monument references its cultural importance. Veelwaard uses the circular form of the medallions to create self-contained worlds, each bearing witness to a moment in the narrative of printing’s origin. The stark contrast of light and shadow emphasizes the interplay between text and image, inviting us to consider how visual and linguistic codes work together to construct historical memory. This print operates as a structural system where each element contributes to a larger argument about cultural heritage and innovation.