A Man Ploughing [reverse] c. 16th century

This silver medal, of unknown origin, depicts a man ploughing a field. The image is achieved through a process of striking or hammering the metal, a skilled tradition demanding precision and control. Consider the material itself: silver, often associated with wealth and status. Here, it elevates an everyday scene of agricultural labor. The act of ploughing, rendered in minute detail, is a testament to human effort and toil. The sun and clouds above, and the landscape behind, are a reminder of the natural world that governs this labor. The medal’s creation involved a division of labor. While the designer conceived the image, a skilled artisan would have executed it, carefully translating the design into the resistant metal. This medal invites us to reflect on the value of labor, and the relationship between agriculture, society, and wealth. It blurs the line between art object and social commentary.