Vrede van Rijswijk, penning geslagen door de stad Neurenberg 1697

This is a silver peace medal, made by Georg Friedrich Nuernberger in Nuremberg to commemorate the Peace of Rijswijk. The image presents a fascinating view of the cultural politics of peace in 1697. On one side, we see a detailed rendering of the city of Nuremberg under a radiant sun, symbolizing divine favor. On the other side, allegorical figures celebrate peace and prosperity. Such medals were not merely commemorative; they were tools of civic self-fashioning. They helped Nuremberg present itself as a staunch defender of peace and a center of enlightened governance in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire. The medal reflects Nuremberg's unique position as a Free Imperial City, giving it a high degree of autonomy and requiring it to navigate the complex web of European power. To fully understand this object, we need to delve into the archives, examining city council records, guild documents, and the personal papers of the medal's creator. These sources can reveal the specific motivations behind the commission.