Dood van Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp, gesneuveld bij Katwijk 1653

Editor: So, this piece is a metal medal commemorating "The Death of Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp, Killed Near Katwijk," created in 1653 by Jan Lievens. It's Baroque style, which you don't usually see in this form, so it makes me wonder what other historical and artistic narratives can exist in small pieces? What stories do you find etched in the medal? Curator: Well, it’s like holding a little piece of bravado, isn’t it? Tromp was a rockstar admiral back then, a true Dutch hero. Lievens, more known for painting, really captures the intensity of the era in metal! Note the ship scene on the reverse. What does it suggest to you about sacrifice and patriotism? Editor: The naval battle scene gives me chills! To me, it evokes immense power, though on the reverse is such intense emotion. Was it commissioned or some other kind of creation? Curator: Good question. This medal wasn’t simply whipped up. These were, like, official souvenirs— almost proto-selfies for a budding nation proud of its naval victories! People kept these and showed them around. But it's more than a memento. Lievens sneaks in, let's say, a philosophical musing on national glory and mortality, using sharp edges and gleaming metal to bring it to life. Don’t you feel a tension there? Editor: Totally! I'm realizing the metal isn’t just a medium, but adds another layer to the story itself: lasting, durable and something to admire! I didn't notice at first. I really love his work. Curator: Precisely! Think of the tactile experience, the cool weight of the medal, the play of light on its surface—it invites interaction, commemoration. Art then becomes like a memory, right? Editor: Yes, art becomes memory in metal. That’s an interesting point to consider!