Inhuldiging van Maria Theresia als gravin van Brabant en Vlaanderen

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Inhuldiging van Mariaia als gravin van en Vlaanderen* (Inauguration of Maria Theresa as Countess of Brabant and Flanders a delicate struck medal crafted in 1744 by Jacques Roëttiers (II), a master medallist from a renowned family of Flemish engravers. Measuring just 2.3 cm in diameter and weighing 33 grams, this metalwork masterpiece captures a pivotal moment with remarkable precision, likely featuring portraits or symbolic scenes of the ceremony. Created amid the turbulent War of the Austrian Succession, the medal commemorates Maria Theresa's formal investiture as ruler of the Austrian Netherlands, affirming Habsburg authority over Brabant and Flanders. Such medals were prized 18th-century tokens of loyalty and propaganda, blending artistry with politics to rally support for the empress, whose reign shaped European history. Roëttiers' striking technique—hammering metal against engraved dies—allowed for intricate details and high relief, hallmarks of Baroque medal-making that elevated these objects from mere coins to collectible art. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, it invites us to ponder the era's grandeur through a palm-sized relic of royal pomp.