Beleg en inname van Antwerpen door de hertog van Parma Possibly 1586 - 1589

This is a silver medal by Jacques Jonghelinck, commemorating the Siege of Antwerp. Antwerp, during the 16th century, was a bustling center of commerce and culture, a jewel in the Habsburg Netherlands. But this prosperity masked deep tensions. The Siege of Antwerp was more than just a military campaign, it was a clash of identities, a struggle for religious freedom, and a war that pitted the Dutch against the Spanish. Here, the Duke of Parma, representing Spanish authority, is shown accepting the city's surrender. The defeat was a major blow to the Dutch Revolt, scattering merchants, artists, and intellectuals. This diaspora had profound cultural and economic consequences, forever changing the makeup of Europe. Ultimately, this medal isn’t just a record of a military victory; it is a somber reflection on the cost of conflict and the enduring impact of displacement on a people and their culture.