Op de demping van het aansprekersoproer te Amsterdam naar aanleiding van de keur op het begraven 1697

This silver medal by Martin Schmeltzing commemorates the suppression of the undertakers’ riot in Amsterdam. Notice how the composition is divided into two distinct scenes on either side of the medal. One side features allegorical figures, a seated female representing Justice and a male figure in armor representing power, while the other side depicts a scene of conflict with a crowd of rioters clashing with armed forces against the backdrop of Amsterdam. The artist uses a formal arrangement to convey a complex political message. The medal's circular form creates a sense of enclosure, drawing attention to the power dynamics between authority and civil unrest. The stark contrast between the allegorical figures and the riot scene invites a semiotic interpretation. Justice and Power are presented as ideals but juxtaposed against the violent reality of the riot. This contrast highlights the tension between abstract values and the lived experience of conflict. This medal is not just a historical record but a meditation on power, justice, and social order, captured within its metallic form.