Herovering van Namen door Willem III 1695

This silver medal, commemorating the recapture of Namur by William III, was crafted by Jacob van Dishoecke in the late 17th century. It offers a fascinating window into the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shaped artistic production. The medal depicts William III, a key figure in European power struggles against Louis XIV's France. It represents not just a military victory, but also a statement of Protestant Dutch power against Catholic France. The very act of creating and distributing such medals served a public role, solidifying William's image as a triumphant leader and bolstering national pride. To understand this object better, we turn to historical accounts, political pamphlets, and even military records. These resources help us understand the medal as a social artifact, revealing the intricate connections between art, power, and the shaping of public opinion in the Dutch Golden Age. This medal is a reminder that art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.