Aanvaarding van de voorstellen voor een bestand tussen de Republiek en Spanje 1608

Curator: Let's consider this fascinating historical artifact titled "Aanvaarding van de voorstellen voor een bestand tussen de Republiek en Spanje", or, "Acceptance of proposals for a ceasefire between the Republic and Spain," dated 1608, created anonymously. Editor: Immediately, I sense a weighty solemnity, despite the petite scale. It's a dark bronze; I can almost feel the cool, solid materiality of it. One side with emblems and another showing a shepherd. Curator: It's amazing how much history can be compressed onto one small print, carved with such intricate detail. Notice on the one side, how the coat of arms is juxtaposed with the text? Editor: And on the other side, the figure of the shepherd; it’s a bit worn, perhaps? This makes me consider how it was held, handled. The making of and the owning of become equally important. Curator: Right, the figure evokes pastoral themes and likely represents the Dutch Republic. There's an almost melancholy aspect to the lone shepherd, though I read hope into this. It would represent this newfound freedom and a period of rebuilding. Editor: Bronze as material gives a sense of permanence to an object often employed for coins. What this would mean, if it functions as currency: circulated constantly, accruing meaning as it is used, then lost to the earth. Curator: I love thinking about its original intent and life and then fast forwarding to what it is now for us, which is to look upon with wonder. Editor: A circle, containing within it layers of historical intention and present viewing—bronze, shepherd, emblem, state. Curator: Ultimately, this medallion acts as both art object and historical record, a tactile bridge connecting us to a pivotal moment of peace. Editor: Precisely. Holding onto it feels to me a tangible way of acknowledging not just then but all the many hands through time who’ve kept this bit of history safe until now.