Zestien penningen met versierde lijsten, waarvan één blanco 1647 - 1682

Curator: This engraving, likely created between 1647 and 1682, is titled "Zestien penningen met versierde lijsten, waarvan één blanco," meaning "Sixteen coins with decorated frames, one of which is blank". It's attributed to Simon de la Boissière and made using ink on paper. Editor: It feels very ornamental, almost like a sampler. The linear precision, the delicate curlicues of the frames…it's quite striking in its clarity. Curator: Exactly. What's compelling here is understanding the political power imbued in imagery. Coinage, even represented like this, circulated not just money but ideals and authority. Look how each coin vignette acts as a mini history painting, referencing Roman leaders and deities. Editor: You know, it’s interesting you mention history paintings because while there’s the appeal of accessing small snippets of historical narratives, formally I find the balance and repetition in this design quite arresting. It makes one wonder if this work was simply an exercise in artistic skill. Curator: Possibly so. But let’s remember this engraving was made during a time of significant upheaval and the assertion of Dutch power. Images, carefully curated and widely distributed through prints, helped cement national identity and legitimize rule. That one blank space also strikes me as purposeful. Editor: Right, the blank coin, perhaps inviting the viewer to insert their own ambition, literally "fill in the blank?" On another level, notice the circular format echoed in the looping decorations connecting each coin. The geometric play contributes to a visual harmony—almost meditative in quality. Curator: An insightful reading! In art, there is power. Works like this remind us how art played an important part in defining civic values, or creating an image for an emerging state to present itself on an international stage. Editor: Well, for me, examining it at a surface level offers a great experience by itself. Its orderly composition makes it inherently satisfying.