Storm en overstroming van 14 op 15 november 1775

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

**Storm and Flood of 14-15 November 1775 *Johannes Michiel Lan, 1775* *Struck metal (medal), diameter 3 cm, 8.93 g* This petite yet poignant medal, crafted by Dutch artist Johannes Michiel Lageman the very year of the event it commemorates, captures the fury of a devastating storm and flood that struck the Netherlands on 1415 November 1775 Measuring just 3 cm in diameter and weighing a mere 8.93 grams, it exemplifies the 18th-century tradition of commemorative medals—small-scale works that served as portable memorials to historical moments, blending artistry with public memory. Struck through metalworking techniques, where a die presses intricate designs into a metal blank, Lageman's piece likely features dramatic imagery of churning waters and tempestuous skies on one side, with inscriptions or allegorical figures on the obverse—a hallmark of Dutch medal art influenced by the Golden Age's precision engraving traditions. These medals were prized for their durability and detail, often circulated as tokens of resilience amid the Low Countries' frequent battles with the sea. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this artifact highlights the cultural importance of such works in Dutch society, where floods were both calamity and catalyst for communal reflection and engineering innovation. A testament to human endurance, it invites visitors to ponder nature's power through Lageman's masterful miniature.