Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder 1747

This silver medal commemorates the elevation of the Prince of Orange to Stadtholder. Though the artist is unknown, its creation involved the skilled handiwork of a medalist, likely working in a workshop. The metal from which the medal is made is inextricably linked to its appearance; the material is cool to the touch, weighty, and catches the light, lending an aura of importance to its diminutive size. The process of die-striking – hammering metal between two engraved dies – would have been used to transfer the intricate designs onto the medal. This required immense precision and control, a testament to the craftsperson's expertise. The medal’s imagery, the portraits, and heraldic emblems, speaks to its intended function as a piece of propaganda, celebrating a specific political moment. The silver itself, a valuable material, emphasizes the importance of the event. By considering this medal's material and making, we can see how it transcends simple commemoration, becoming a powerful artifact embedded with social and political meaning.