Aanvang van het jaar 1750 1750

This is a silver medal made in 1750 by Johan George Holtzhey to mark the start of the year. As an artwork, this medal reflects the cultural and political context of the Dutch Republic. On one side, we see the Dutch Maiden, a national symbol, seated with a lion representing strength and courage. On the other side, an angel sits at the wheel of time in divine light, suggesting a sense of hope and divine favor for the new year. Holtzhey uses classical imagery to evoke a sense of national pride and optimism. The medal also functions as a historical document. By using allegory, it conveys the values and aspirations of the Dutch Republic. The Latin inscriptions translate as 'If virtue does not give delight what does it?' and 'Divine grace illuminates the beginning year', indicating the significance of religion in Dutch society. As historians, we would look to the archives of the Dutch Republic to know more about the political and social context of this medal. We interpret art not just as aesthetic objects, but as products of a specific historical moment.