Vrede van Dresden 1745

This silver medal, “Vrede van Dresden,” was created by Johann Leonhard Öxlein, an engraver active in the mid-18th century. Medals such as this one were often commissioned to commemorate important events, in this case the Peace of Dresden in 1745. The medal showcases the visual codes and cultural references common to its time. On one side, we see a regal figure surrounded by symbols of peace and prosperity. The reverse depicts allegorical figures, possibly representing Justice and War, flanking a central image related to the treaty. Made during a period of significant political and social change in Europe, the medal reflects the desire for stability amidst ongoing conflicts. It is a piece of institutional history, produced to celebrate a specific diplomatic achievement. Further research into the political context of the Peace of Dresden, looking at archival documents, diplomatic correspondence, and other medals, can offer more insight into how the medal functioned as a tool of statecraft. The meaning of art is contingent on this social and institutional context.