Derde eeuwfeest van de uitvinding van de boekdrukkunst

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: vrouw, staande op boek, met wapenschild en wimpel met opschrift houdt zeven met lint samengebonden wapenschilden en lauwerkrans vast binnen omschrift; afsnede: opschrift

Art Historical Context

Crafted in 1740 by Dutch artist Nicolaas van Sweren, *Derde eeuwfeest van de uitvinding de boekdrukkunst* (Third Centenary of the Invention of Printing) is a finely struck silver medal celebrating the 300 anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg's revolutionary movable-type printing press, circa 1440. just 4.2 cm in diameter and weighing 25.89 grams, this petite yet elegant piece exemplifies18th-century commemorative metalwork, a popular medium for honoring milestones in science, culture, and history across Europe. The obverse features a bust of a man—likely Gutenberg himself—framed by an inscription, evoking the personal genius behind the innovation that democratized knowledge. On the reverse, a symbolic female figure stands triumphantly atop an open book, embodying the enduring power of print. She holds a coat of arms, a pennant with inscription, seven ribbon-tied escutcheons (perhaps representing key printing centers or guilds), and a laurel wreath, all encircled by text and an exergue legend. This rich iconography underscores printing's transformative role in enlightenment and unity. Struck with precision, the medal showcases van Swinderen's mastery of relief techniques, where high-pressure dies create sharp details on silver, ensuring durability and shine. A cultural treasure, it reflects the era's pride in technological progress, reminding us how such inventions reshaped society.