Sluiting van verdrag van Fontainebleau met Frankrijk plechtig te Rotterdam gevierd 1786

This silver medal, about 5 cm in diameter, was created by Johannes Josephus van Baerll to commemorate the Treaty of Fontainebleau. The medal is designed with neoclassical elements and divided into two distinct sides, each presenting a symbolic scene. One side depicts a seated figure, possibly representing the Netherlands, watching a prancing horse, symbolizing freedom, over water. The second side shows a figure striking a shield, possibly signifying the end of conflict or oppression. The stark, precise lines and the shallow relief give each side a sense of contained energy, almost as if these symbols are frozen in a moment of potent meaning. The arrangement of figures and objects follows a clear, balanced composition, drawing attention to the themes of liberation and peace. The very material of the medal, its smooth, reflective surface, enhances this sense of restrained power, suggesting a moment of monumental change captured in a small, enduring form. The medal serves not just as a historical marker but also as a carefully constructed object, designed to convey specific values through its form and imagery.