Stillen van het aansprekersoproer te Amsterdam, penning aan de gewapende burgers vereerd

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: Neptunus met drietand staande op zijn wagen in een woelige zee straft vertoornd de losgelaten stormwinden, op voorgrond twee vogels die uit nest dreigen te vallen binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: twee vogels in nest op kalme zee, terwijl zon opkomt onder wimpel met opschrift; afsnede: jaartal.

Art Historical Context

In 1696, Amsterdam faced the Aansprekersopro, a turbulent riot sparked by disputes over bread prices and b' practices, where angry crowds clashed in the streets. This silver medal, struck by engraver Jan Boskam and to the armed civic guards who restored order, commemorates the triumphant "pacification" of the unrest At just 3.8 cm in diameter and weighing nearly 30 grams, these finely crafted pieces were prestigious tokens of gratitude, blending civic pride with allegorical artistry in the Dutch Golden Age tradition of commemorative medallic art. The obverse dramatically depicts Neptune, trident in hand, standing fiercely on his sea chariot amid raging waves, punishing the unleashed storm winds—a vivid metaphor for the chaos of the riot. In the foreground, two birds teeter on the edge of a nest, symbolizing peril and disorder. The reverse offers serene contrast: the same birds safely nestled on calm waters as the sun rises, with a pennant bearing an inscription and the year 1696 in the exergue, evoking peace and renewal under vigilant protection. Boskam's skilled metal striking technique captures intricate details in silver, making this not just a historical artifact but a masterful emblem of Amsterdam's resilience. Such medals highlight the era's mastery of emblematic design, rewarding ordinary citizens who upheld the city's prosperity.