Wedding of Hendrik Tigges and Magdalena Anna Poursoy 1802

Curator: Here we have a fascinating metal relief, a wedding medal created in 1802 by Martin Holtzhey. It commemorates the marriage of Hendrik Tigges and Magdalena Anna Poursoy. The piece aligns with the neoclassical style popular at the time. Editor: My first thought is the incredible detail for something so small. The relief gives it a pronounced texture that catches the light. The image on the front feels simultaneously staged and intimate. Curator: Yes, the medal presents two distinct scenes, both rich in symbolism. The primary scene depicts the wedding itself, set before what appears to be a pipe organ in a grand interior space. Note the text bordering the top, reading "De Liefde Alleen Maakt Twee Tot Een"— "Love Alone Makes Two into One". Editor: Interesting. The organ is a complex and layered symbol. Traditionally it is associated with formal ceremony and music, yes? However, within the domestic space implied by a marriage union, the organ evokes issues around control, the voice, perhaps the historical silencing of women. I see one figure kneeling, and the other standing - are they figures of equal power within this union? Curator: The second scene, on the reverse side, features inscriptions within laurel wreaths and a pair of turtle doves, symbols of fidelity and peace. These elements carry symbolic weight; the wreaths echo ancient Greek and Roman traditions. Together the front and back serve to publicly affirm these individuals and solidify their legacy and their societal standing. Editor: It’s true - even a small, seemingly personal object like this functions within complex systems of social and political structures. This object suggests the formal structure and performativity of historical rituals concerning marriage in Western European tradition. The weight of historical practice seems to be present here, compressed onto a metal disc. What can such imagery tell us about shifting power relations within contemporary discussions of matrimony? Curator: It underscores how symbols adapt and persist across time. While the social implications may shift, the emotional resonance endures, influencing subsequent artistic expressions. Editor: Absolutely. Examining such objects allows us to appreciate the interplay between historical forces and current discourses in our visual landscape.