Herstel van de orde in de Nederlanden en het sluiten van de Acte van Garantie 1788

This silver medal created by Franciscus Hemsterhuis celebrates the restoration of order in the Netherlands and the signing of the Act of Guarantee. Let’s consider its significance in the context of the late 18th century. The medal's inscriptions and imagery likely reference the political turmoil of the time, specifically the Patriot movement which sought democratic reforms and challenged the power of the Stadtholder. The Act of Guarantee was imposed by Prussia and England to restore the power of Stadtholder William V, reversing the Patriots' gains. Medals such as this were often commissioned by political factions to commemorate events and disseminate their views. To fully understand this medal, one would need to examine archives and political pamphlets from this era, exploring the complex social and institutional dynamics of the Dutch Republic. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply embedded in the politics of its time.