Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol weer toegelaten tot de Staten van Overijssel

About this artwork

diameter 4.9 cm x weight 46.15 gr

Art Historical Context

This exquisite struck medal, crafted by Dutch engraver Johan George Holhey in 1782, commemorates the readmission of Joan Derk van der Capellen den Pol to the States of Overijssel, the provincial assembly in the Dutch. Measuring just 4.9 cm in diameter and weighing 46.15 grams, its compact form belies its role as a finely detailed token of political triumph. Holtzhey, a master medalist known for his intricate engravings, employed the striking technique—pressing a hardened steel die into soft metal under high pressure—to achieve sharp, high-relief portraits and inscriptions that capture the era's neoclassical precision. The medal honors van der Capellen, a prominent Patriot leader during the turbulent 1780s Dutch Patriot Revolution. Exiled earlier for his outspoken criticism of Stadtholder William V's autocratic tendencies, his 1782 reinstatement symbolized growing demands for republican reforms, individual rights, and resistance to monarchical overreach. Such medals were prized collectibles, circulated among supporters to rally political fervor and preserve key moments in the struggle for liberty. Holtzhey's work exemplifies 18th-century medal art's blend of portraiture, symbolism, and propaganda, making this piece a tangible artifact of Enlightenment-era politics in the Netherlands. Visitors can appreciate how its modest scale invited intimate handling, turning history into a personal emblem of democratic aspiration.