Drie munten 1879

Curator: Alright, so here we have “Drie munten,” or “Three Coins,” an ink drawing on paper created anonymously around 1879. It resides here in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Ah, it feels like looking at an opened treasure chest, doesn’t it? Though instead of glinting gold, there's a gentle, faded dignity. The blank page facing the mounted coins gives the composition this wonderfully melancholic feel, a wistful look back in time. Curator: Precisely. What strikes me is the framing—the work exists within a bound book. It is quite unusual; it moves us from simply regarding coins as currency to contemplating them as artifacts worthy of preservation and study. The anonymous artist clearly saw value beyond monetary worth. Editor: Absolutely. They become relics. Looking closer, each coin portrays different figures. We have what appears to be a king, then some kind of heroic battle scene and, perhaps a noble lady? What kind of statements could be deciphered from them? They appear hand drawn to depict engravings...It makes the experience oddly personal; less about historical record and more like intimate translation. Curator: Yes, and the context matters enormously. The late 19th century was a period of intense national self-reflection and museum-building. Coins, particularly older ones, served as tangible links to national history, emblems of power and sovereignty carefully collected, cataloged, and made accessible to the public for study and inspiration. Editor: That brings so many layers into it; I like that contrast! It reminds us these aren't just artifacts, they are also political tools shaped by those who held and recorded power. But seeing this illustration style…makes me want to search my grandmother's attic for a similar forgotten keepsake. The image captures something special that transcends both historical meaning and money value, almost...nostalgia for ages and times we could not meet... Curator: A fine thought to dwell on. Each impression invites us to imagine not just their faces on display here but their aspirations and society they inhabited. That, in itslef, I believe to be the most valuable experience.