Overwinning op de Nederlandse vloot onder admiraal de Pater 1631

This is a medal commemorating the Dutch victory over the fleet of Admiral de Pater. It was likely created in the Netherlands in the mid-17th century by Adriaan Waterloos. We see on one side the portrait of a man in armor. A Latin inscription surrounds the portrait, likely identifying the individual and his accomplishments. The other side depicts a man riding some form of sea monster. This imagery creates meaning through cultural and historical associations. In the 17th century, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, heavily reliant on its navy for trade and defense. Creating medals to commemorate battles was a way of celebrating military achievements and bolstering national pride. By studying such commemorative objects in museums and private collections, along with archival sources such as naval records and political pamphlets, we can better understand the social, cultural, and political context in which it was made. The meaning of art is contingent on this context.