Ter ere van Rudolf Mees bij het tweehonderdjarig bestaan van de firma Mees en Zoonen te Rotterdam 1920 1920

This circular bronze medal, made in 1920 by Jacob Jan van Goor, commemorates the bicentennial of the Rotterdam firm Mees en Zoonen. You can see the details so clearly, can’t you? The way the artist delicately carved the firm’s forefather on one side. I'm thinking about Van Goor, the man behind this piece. It’s an interesting commission to be sure, and I'm imagining him working away in his studio. There’s something quite beautiful about that: the dedication and patience required to create something so intricate. I wonder if he was thinking about the people who would one day hold and view it, or whether he was simply focused on the task at hand? And I'm struck by the artistry and craftsmanship here – like the other medallists, past and present, who are always pushing the boundaries of their medium, always asking questions and challenging expectations. The surface texture almost brings it to life. It's all about this conversation between artists, the way we inspire each other, learn from each other, and build upon each other's ideas. We’re all just trying to make sense of the world, one brushstroke at a time.