Het derde kwartier van het wapen van M.A. de Ruyter after 1677

This is a cast-iron relief of the Dutch naval hero Michiel de Ruyter's coat of arms. It was made anonymously, probably sometime in the 17th or 18th century. The choice of iron here is fascinating. It's not exactly an everyday material, but it is a utilitarian one, certainly not precious like gold or silver. The process of casting—pouring molten metal into a mold—allows for fairly quick reproduction. So, this may have been a relatively affordable commemorative object, available to a broad public, although, it is very likely that the original was a bronze cast. Notice how the dark patinated surface gives the scene a somber feel. The ship emerging from the waves, sails billowing, conveys strength. But the material also speaks of labor and industry. It reminds us that even heroic achievements are built on collective effort. Ultimately, this artwork asks us to consider the relationship between individual accomplishment and the social conditions that make it possible. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and industrial production, inviting us to appreciate the many layers of meaning embedded in its materiality.