Vijfentwintigjarig bestaan van de Vereniging voor Penningkunst 1950 1950

This bronze medal, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Dutch Medal Art Society in 1950, was created by Jaap Gutterswijk. The medal presents a seated nude woman in profile, cradling a smaller coin or medal in her hands. In post-war Europe, the nude female form often symbolized rebirth, peace, and the continuity of life. Here, Gutterswijk’s woman is self-contained, focused on the small disc in her hands. Is she contemplating the role of art and beauty in a world recovering from devastation? Or, is she perhaps an allegory for the artists of the Medal Art Society itself? They, too, fostered the creation of small, intimate works of art, made to be held and considered closely. This medal invites reflection on the power of art to both commemorate and offer solace.