Gedenkpenning ter ere van het zilveren huwelijksjubileum van Jacob Ploos van Amstel en Sara Rothé, 1746 1746

This is Pieter Tanjé's "Commemorative Medal in Honor of the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Jacob Ploos van Amstel and Sara Rothé," created in 1746. In the Dutch Republic of the 18th century, marriage was more than a union of individuals; it was a cornerstone of social and economic stability. This print, designed to celebrate twenty-five years of marriage, invites us to reflect on the intertwined roles of gender and societal expectations. The classical figures adorning the medal symbolize virtues cherished in marital life: Fidelity, Harmony, and Prosperity. Yet, these symbols also echo the prescribed roles for men and women within the domestic sphere. Sara Rothé, as a woman of means, would have had to navigate the expectations of her class while managing the demands of her household. Consider the emotional weight of such an anniversary. What joys and challenges did Jacob and Sara face during their years together? The piece serves as a reminder of the personal within the public, of individual lives shaped by the currents of history.