Overlijden van de hervormer Theodorus Beza

About this artwork

diameter 2.8 cm x weight 8.14 gr

Art Historical Context

This exquisite medal, titled *Overlijden van de hervorm Theodorus Beza*Death of the Reformerorus Beza), was by the renowned Swiss engraver Jean Dass around 1720–1725. Measuring just 2.8 cm in diameter and weighing 8.14 grams, it exemplifies the precision of 18th-century metal striking techniques, where a hardened steel die stamps intricate designs into a soft metal blank under immense pressure. Dassier, from a dynasty of medalists in Geneva, specialized in portrait medals that captured historical figures with lifelike detail and classical elegance. The medal commemorates Theodorus Beza (1519–1605), a pivotal French Protestant reformer and successor to John Calvin in Geneva. Beza's scholarly works, including his Greek New Testament edition, bolstered the Reformation's intellectual foundations amid religious upheavals in Europe. Produced over a century after Beza's death, this piece reflects the enduring Protestant heritage in Calvinist strongholds like Geneva and the Netherlands, where such medals served as portable tributes to faith and history. Dassier's neoclassical style—marked by sharp profiles, symbolic motifs, and balanced compositions—elevates these small-scale works to miniature sculptures. Collectors prized them for both artistic merit and devotional value, making this medal a tangible link to the turbulent era of religious reform.