Afzwering door de Staten-Generaal van Filips II, koning van Spanje als landsheer der Nederlanden 1583

This is a medal made by Gerard van Bylaer. Its title translates to "The States-General Deposing Philip II, King of Spain, as Lord of the Netherlands." This medal encapsulates a pivotal moment in Dutch history. It reflects the Dutch Republic's struggle for independence from Spanish rule. The imagery on the medal becomes a symbolic assertion of Dutch identity. We see The States-General rejecting Philip II, which represents a shift in power and governance. The act of creating and distributing such medals was a political statement, asserting sovereignty and shaping public opinion during a period of conflict. The medal reflects both the personal and collective experiences of a people asserting their right to self-determination. It also speaks to larger questions of colonial power, resistance, and the forging of national identities.