BK-1958-74

About this artwork

Gift of Kunsthandel J.M. Morpurgo

Art Historical Context

**BK-1958-74 by Hans Jacob Bair** intriguing lead artwork, created by the early 17th-century artist Jacob Bair (active around or after 1604 and 1628), exemplifies craftsmanship of medal or plaquette production during the Dutch Golden Age. Measuring 21.5 cm in diameter and weighing a substantial 485 grams, its hefty form suggests it served as a trial piece or artist's model—common in metalworking before final casts in bronze or silver. Lead's malleability allowed engravers like Bair to refine designs with precision, capturing fine details that would later translate to more precious materials. Bair's short documented career places him amid a vibrant era of Northern European medal-making, influenced by Renaissance traditions and emerging Baroque experimentation. Such objects often commemorated events, portraits, or allegories, blending sculpture and printmaking techniques. Donated to the collection by the esteemed Amsterdam art dealer Kunsthandel J.M. Morpurgo in 1958, this piece offers a rare glimpse into an artist's workshop process, highlighting the technical innovation and cultural prestige of metal arts in the early 1600s. Visitors will appreciate its tactile weight and scale, evoking the hands-on artistry of a bygone age.