Bombardement van Rotterdam 1940 1940 - 1946

This commemorative coin, made by Cor van Kralingen, memorializes the 1940 bombing of Rotterdam. The surface is smooth, cool to the touch, and the sepia tone of the metal gives it a feeling of age. The depiction of the devastated Laurens Church dominates the design. The lines are clean and precise. Notice how the curves of twisted metal contrast with the strict verticals of the building. It makes me think of the way Piranesi's etchings show ancient ruins overtaken by nature; the way destruction can also create strange beauty. What strikes me is the absence of people. Instead, the coin presents a scene of architectural ruin, a stark reminder of a specific historical event. It’s fascinating how artists can use different mediums to speak to a collective memory. It reminds us that art is always in dialogue with history.