Overlijden van Immanuel Kant 1804

This silver medal commemorating the death of Immanuel Kant was struck by Friedrich Wilhelm Loos, likely shortly after the philosopher’s death in 1804. The medal is made using the techniques of die-striking, a process where a design is engraved into a metal die, which is then used to impress the image onto a blank metal disk. The cool, hard silver beautifully captures the sharp detail, from the lettering to Kant’s profile, and the allegorical scene on the reverse. The shiny silver, combined with the raised relief, makes this small object appear monumental. Loos, as a medallist, was working within a well-established tradition linking craft and commemoration, producing objects that are both works of art and historical documents. The use of a reproducible format speaks to Kant's widespread influence, disseminating his image and ideas. The medal is also a symbol of the labor and skill required to produce it, reflecting social status and political power. By considering its materiality and production, we can understand how this medal embodies both artistic expression and wider social and historical meanings.