Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, burgemeester van Amsterdam 1787

This silver medal depicts Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, a mayor of Amsterdam, and was crafted by an anonymous artist. During Hooft's time, Amsterdam was a powerful center of trade and culture in the Dutch Golden Age, but also deeply shaped by its colonial engagements. This medal isn't just a portrait; it's a statement of identity and power. Hooft's attire and wig signal his status, his belonging to the ruling class of Amsterdam. Medals like these were often made to commemorate or celebrate an individual, however, the inscription on the back suggests this medal may have been created after his death. The inscription translates to "last testimony of the faithful burgomaster of the city Amsterdam in his funeral procession." Consider the complex history of Dutch prosperity, built in part on trade and colonialism, as you contemplate the life and legacy of Hendrik Hooft, immortalized in this small token.