Aansporing tot voorzichtigheid bij de vredesonderhandelingen te Munster 1647

This medal was created by Johannes Looff, likely around the time of the Peace of Munster in 1648, struck from bronze or copper alloy. The circular form and the raised imagery on both sides were achieved using a die, essentially a stamp that pressed a design into the metal. This was skilled work, requiring not only the ability to design the imagery in miniature, but also the technical expertise to cut the die accurately. The choice of metal also speaks volumes. Bronze was a relatively common material, linking this medal to a broader culture of coin making. The use of casting relates the medal to much larger social issues such as trade and economy. The medal shows a ship at sea on one side and a crowned shield on the other. These emblems of maritime power and authority offer a glimpse into the complex negotiations underway at Munster, and the careful calculus of power they entailed. Considering the materials, making, and social context, it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.