Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder* (Elevation of the Prince of Orange Stadtholder), a struck medal crafted by Swiss medallist Jean Dassier in1747. Measuring 5.5 cm in diameter and weighing a substantial 76.6 grams, this metalwork exemplifies the precision of 18th-century numismatic art. Dassier, from a renowned Genevan family of engravers, specialized in commemorative portraits that captured pivotal historical moments with elegant realism. Created amid the turbulent Dutch Republic, the medal celebrates William IV of Orange-Nassau's dramatic elevation to Stadtholder in 1747—a turning point during widespread unrest and the "Orangist" revival. Popular fervor propelled him from prince to chief magistrate of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht, restoring the Orange dynasty's influence after decades of republican dominance. Such medals served as portable propaganda, rallying loyalty and preserving the event for posterity. Struck using a die hammered into a metal blank, the technique allowed for intricate details and high relief, hallmarks of Dassier's neoclassical precision. This generous gift from Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff enriches our collection, inviting visitors to ponder how a small disc of metal encapsulated the shifting tides of Dutch power and identity.