Dood van Hugo de Groot 1725

This silver medal, commemorating the death of Hugo de Groot, was made by Jean Dassier, a Swiss medalist, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. Medals like this were struck from dies in a press—a relatively industrialized technique, certainly far removed from earlier forms of coin and medal production, which relied on hand hammering. The crispness of the image, and the clean lettering on the reverse, testify to this mechanical process. But the medal shouldn’t just be considered as a feat of engineering. The imagery and inscriptions are also carefully considered. The portrait of de Groot presents him as a figure of authority and intellect, while the Latin inscription speaks to his virtues and accomplishments. Consider how the medal’s materiality—its preciousness, its permanence—contributes to the overall message. It is intended not only to commemorate, but also to elevate de Groot to the status of a national hero. The medal, therefore, exists at the intersection of craft, design, and social context, blurring the lines between art and industry.