Penning ter ere van de Vrede van Breda 1718

This print, made by Bernard Picart around the turn of the 18th century, commemorates the Peace of Breda. It’s made through engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The image shows two sides of a commemorative coin. On one side Neptune rides his chariot over the seas, while the reverse depicts the city of Breda. As a multiple, this print embodies the spirit of the peace it celebrates, aiming for widespread distribution. Consider the skilled labor required to create the original coin, and then the further effort to reproduce it in print. This reflects a society where craft and artistry were valued, but also increasingly mediated through commercial production. The print democratizes the image, making it accessible beyond the elite circles who would possess the actual coin. Ultimately, understanding the materials and making of this print, and its context, allows us to appreciate its role in disseminating political messages and shaping public opinion. It challenges the boundaries between art, craft, and propaganda, reminding us of the complex social functions that objects can serve.