Munt van een halve crown van George II, koning van Engeland, munt geslagen van het te Lima buitgemaakte zilver 1746

Editor: Here we have a half crown coin dating back to 1746, depicting George II, King of England. It was struck from silver seized in Lima. I find the contrast between the regal portrait and the practical use of currency intriguing. How do you interpret this piece through a formalist lens? Curator: Let us focus on the coin's internal properties. Note the precise engraving, the crisp delineation of form. Observe how the artist utilizes line to define the profile of King George II and how this contrasts to the geometric patterning of the shield on the reverse. The surface texture, despite the image being of a flattened coin, indicates a play of light and shadow. It is through such devices that symbolic meanings emerge from mere representation. Do you see how the structure conveys power and authority? Editor: Yes, the sharp lines do lend it a sense of formality, of power made tangible. What does the Baroque style contribute? Curator: The Baroque influence manifests in the ornamentation - the wreath adorning the king's head, the elaborate shields on the reverse. This contributes to the grandeur, but it is also carefully balanced. The coin adheres to a circular format. It integrates movement within this structural boundary. Notice the script running symmetrically, the strategic placement of design elements which emphasizes the coin’s perfect, planar symmetry. What effect does this give you? Editor: The symmetry does give it balance, a sense of completion. Curator: Precisely! And, in this visual organization, one perceives an aesthetic order divorced from mere functionality, imbuing the object with artistry. It’s a harmonious dialogue of lines and form. Editor: This deeper look really highlights the deliberate composition beyond its historical significance. Thanks for pointing out the relationship between form and artistic expression! Curator: A pleasure to delve into this composition together and rediscover its intricate relationships.