Gothland ingenomen door Christiaan V van Denemarken

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man temidden van wapentuig. Keerzijde: lam dat een vaandel draagt binnen omschrift; afsnede: opschrift

Art Historical Context

This striking silver medal, created by artist Gregorius Seseman in 1676, commemorates the Danish capture of the island of Gotland during the Scanian War. Measuring just 4.5 centimeters across and weighing 42.25 grams, the piece exemplifies the tradition of struck metal tokens used to mark significant military and political events in 17th-century Europe. Christian V of Denmark’s successful campaign against Swedish forces is highlighted through the medal’s design, transforming a battlefield victory into a lasting, portable record of royal achievement. The obverse features a portrait of a man surrounded by military equipment, evoking strength and command. On the reverse, a lamb bearing a banner appears within an inscription, a motif often associated with themes of sacrifice or peace following conflict. As a finely struck work of metalworking, the medal demonstrates the technical skill required to produce detailed imagery on a small scale, allowing such objects to circulate among elites and serve both as historical documents and works of art. Today, this piece offers visitors a tangible connection to the power struggles of the Baltic region and the role of commemorative medals in shaping public memory of war.