Vervolging van de protestanten in Frankrijk

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

**Vervolging van deanten in Frankrijk** (Persecution of the Protestants in France) is a poignant struck medal crafted by Dutch medalist Jan SmeltzingI) in 1685. Measuring just 4.9 cm in diameter and weighing 3986 grams, this small yet powerful metalwork exemplifies the artistry of 17th-century numismatics. Smeltzing, known for his intricate commemorative medals, employed the striking technique—hammering a die into a metal blank—to create finely detailed reliefs, capturing historical moments with remarkable precision and durability. Created amid the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes that same year, the medal documents Louis XIV's harsh suppression of French Huguenots (Protestants), forcing thousands to flee to Protestant strongholds like the Dutch Republic. As a product of Dutch craftsmanship, it likely served as both a historical record and a piece of political commentary, reflecting anti-Catholic sentiment in the Netherlands during this turbulent era of religious conflict. This evocative artifact, generously donated by Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, highlights the role of medals as portable "newspapers" of their time—affordable, shareable tokens of memory that bridged art, history, and activism. Visitors can appreciate how Smeltzing's work preserves a critical chapter of European religious strife in enduring silver form.