Broche 'Vrije volken sterven niet' c. 1944 - 1945

This silver brooch, by Firma W. Visser, is inscribed with 'Vrije volken sterven niet', meaning ‘Free people do not die’. The piece is finely wrought in a filigree style, the details delicate and precise, as if the metal itself was a flexible, yielding material. The intricate network of lines creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Look closely and you can see the radial composition, with flags unfurled around the edge. The metalwork feels almost like drawing. The brooch, with its inscription, embodies resistance and resilience. The way the light catches and reflects off the silver surface adds to this, the object itself shining with defiance and hope. It reminds me of the work of Lázló Moholy-Nagy, who experimented with light and transparency, exploring the interplay between form and space. This brooch isn’t just a decorative object; it’s a powerful statement, a wearable piece of art that speaks to the enduring spirit of freedom.