Overlijden van Anna van Hannover, prinses van Oranje-Nassau 1759

This silver medal, commemorating the death of Anna van Hannover, Princess of Orange-Nassau, was made by Johan George Holtzhey. The crisp details were achieved through die-striking, a process that has been used since antiquity. The two halves of the medal were likely struck separately and then joined. Notice how the material itself, silver, conveys a sense of value and permanence. The medal's imagery—a portrait of Anna, and symbols of royalty and learning—speak to her status and virtues. This medal was not merely a memorial, but also a statement about power, status, and the social order of the time. The precision required would have demanded a skilled hand, reflecting a tradition of craftsmanship valued for its ability to commemorate and celebrate those in positions of power. Considering such an object’s material, making, and context invites us to look beyond the surface, and to question how art objects come into being.