Prijspenning van de Vereeniging voor Vreemdelingen Verkeer te Hoorn 1907 1907

This prize medal by G. van Erp, made of bronze in 1907, commemorates the Association for Foreign Tourism in Hoorn. Look closely at the raised lines; the artist's process feels very direct, almost like sketching in metal. You can see the way they worked and reworked the surface to build up the image. The medal is an object of touch. I imagine how it feels in the hand, the cool weight of the bronze, the way the light catches the raised surfaces. The detail of the unicorn on the back is amazing! It’s surrounded by flowers, which adds a kind of wildness. The piece resonates with Art Nouveau, like the work of Gustav Klimt, who saw ornament as a way to touch the depths of feeling. What do you think of when you hold this piece? It's not just a medal, it's a piece of history in your hands.