Balthasar Bekker, predikant te Amsterdam, door de synode te Alkmaar afgezet 1692

This silver medal depicts Balthasar Bekker, an Amsterdam minister who was later dismissed by the Synod of Alkmaar. We don't know exactly when it was made or who F. de Winter was, but the object is fascinating in its visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations, which can tell us something about Dutch society at the time. In the late 17th century, Bekker challenged popular beliefs about witchcraft and demonic possession, arguing that they were superstitious and not supported by the Bible. He faced significant opposition from the religious establishment, which shows us a culture wrestling with new ways of thinking about the world, as well as the institutional pushback against it. It's possible to see how these debates reflected broader social and political tensions within the Dutch Republic. Historians can delve into church records, pamphlets, and other primary sources to better understand the context surrounding Bekker's ideas and their reception. By exploring these resources, we gain insights into the social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production.