Overlijden van Johannes Clericus, theoloog en hoogleraar in de wijsbegeerte, kerkgeschiedenis en Hebreeuws aan de Remonstrantse kweekschool te Amsterdam 1736

This silver medal, crafted by Jean Dassier, commemorates the death of Johannes Clericus, a theologian and professor. Immediately striking is the tension between the medal's compact, circular form and the detailed information it conveys. On one side, Clericus’s profile is meticulously rendered, his wig a cascade of tight curls. The surrounding inscription is carefully placed to fit the circular boundary. Flip the medal, and you find dense text, celebrating Clericus’s intellect and diligence, framed by decorative elements. The text's arrangement is masterful, fitting a wealth of information within the limited space. Dassier exploits the interplay between form and content. The medal’s structure—its shape, its inscriptions, its imagery—functions as a microcosm of Clericus’s life and achievements. The circular format is not just a boundary but a frame that actively shapes our reading and understanding. The medal challenges us to reflect on how structure and form can encapsulate complex ideas and histories.