Doortocht van admiraal van Wassenaar Obdam door de Sont

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: zeeslag met op achtergrond slot Kronenburg. Keerzijde: stad Kopenhagen met haven onder wimpel met opschrift.

Art Historical Context

In 1658, Dutch medalist Johann Höhn crafted this exquisite silver medal, known as *Doortocht van admiraal van Wassenaar Ob door de Sont* (Passage of Admiral vanenaar Obdam through the Sound). Measuring just 4.7 cm in diameter and weighing .53 grams, it exemplifies the precision of struck metalworking—a technique where intricate designs are hammered into thin silver sheets using engraved dies. Such small-scale commemorative medals were popular in 17th-century Europe, as portable historical records and tokens of national pride. The obverse captures a dramatic naval battle in the Øresund strait, with Kronenburg Castle looming in the background—a strategic Danish fortress guarding the vital waterway between Denmark and Sweden. This depicts Admiral Jacob van Wassenaar Obdam's bold fleet passage during the Second Northern War (1655–1660), when Dutch forces allied with Denmark against Swedish aggression in the pivotal Battle of the Sound. The reverse features Copenhagen's harbor and cityscape beneath a fluttering pennant bearing an inscription, symbolizing the city's resilience and the alliance's triumph. Höhn's medal not only chronicles a turning point in Baltic power struggles but also highlights the era's mastery of micro-engraving, blending artistry with propaganda. For visitors, it's a tangible window into 17th-century maritime rivalries, where every wave and turret tells a story of valor and diplomacy.