Aanvang van het jaar 1750 1750

This is a silver medal made around 1750 by Johan George Holtzhey, a Dutch die cutter who specialized in these commemorative objects. You can see that it’s been made with a striking die, a process that involves hammering metal into a mold. It's a skilled tradition that requires precision and control of the material, yet it also enables a certain degree of standardization and reproduction, which separates it from the aesthetics of fine arts. Holtzhey's work embodies the intersection of craft and design. It celebrates a moment in time, the beginning of the year 1750, and also signifies wider social issues of labor and politics. The scenes on each side depict allegorical figures in classical poses, but the message is clear: this is about civic virtue, the bounty of the earth, and divine grace. The weight of this object in your hand is a reminder of the immense amount of work and skill required in its production. Appreciating the making and the context allows us to fully understand the medal's meaning, which challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.