Overlijden van Johannes Clericus, theoloog en hoogleraar in de wijsbegeerte, kerkgeschiedenis en Hebreeuws aan de Remonstrantse kweekschool te Amsterdam

About this artwork

diameter 2.7 cm x weight 8.9 gr

Art Historical Context

Welcome to our exhibit on 18th-century commemorative medals! This exquisite piece, titled *Overlijden van Johannes Cler, theoloog en hoogleraar in wijsbegeerte, kerkgeschiedenis en Hebreeuws aan de Remonantse kweekschool Amsterdam* (Death of Clericus, theologian and of philosophy, church history and Hebrew at the Remstrant seminary in Amsterdam), was crafted by the renowned Swiss medalist Jean Dassier in 1736. Measuring just 2.7 cm in diameter and weighing 8.9 grams, it's a delicate bronze or silver token struck to honor the life and passing of Jean Le Clerc (1657–1736), a prominent Dutch-Swiss scholar and Arminian thinker. Le Clerc was a key figure in the Enlightenment-era Remonstrant movement, a liberal Protestant group emphasizing reason and tolerance amid religious tensions in the Netherlands. His professorship at Amsterdam's seminary underscores the era's intellectual vibrancy, blending theology, philosophy, and biblical studies. Dassier's medal captures this legacy in a portable format, ideal for scholars and admirers to carry as a memento mori—a reminder of mortality amid achievement. Artistically, the "striking" technique—hammering a die into softened metal—allowed Dassier, from a celebrated family of medalists, to achieve sharp details and high relief on such a tiny scale. These medals were prized collectibles, bridging portraiture and numismatics, and reflect the cultural prestige of erudite portraiture in 18th-century Europe. Hold it close to appreciate the craftsmanship!