Vijfentwintigjarige huwelijk van Anthony van den Bergh en Susanna Lubeley

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

Celebrate enduring love with this exquisite silver medal, *Vijfentwintigjarige huwelijk van Anthony den Bergh en Susanna Lley* (Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary of Anthony den Bergh and Susanna Lley), crafted in 1764 by the skilled Dutch medalist Johan George Holtz. Measuring 4.9 cm in diameter and weighing 37.82 grams, this intimate artwork commemorates a couple's silver anniversary—a milestone that highlighted marital fidelity and family prosperity in 18th-century Netherlands. Holtzhey, a prominent engraver active in Amsterdam during the Rococo era, employed the striking technique, where a detailed die is hammered or pressed into softened metal to create raised relief designs. This method allowed for fine, durable portraits and inscriptions, blending artistry with technical precision. Such medals were cherished personal heirlooms among the bourgeoisie, often exchanged as tokens of affection and status. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this piece offers a glimpse into private joys amid the Enlightenment's emphasis on domestic virtue. It reminds us how everyday triumphs were elevated to art, preserving stories of love across generations.