Vrede van Rijswijk

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

**Vrede van Rijsw (Peace of Ryswick 1697** Crafted by the skilled German medalist Georg Hautsch, this exquisite struck medal commemorates the Peace of Ryswick, a pivotal series of treaties signed in 1697 in the town of Rijswijknow Ryswick). These agreements ended the Nine Years' War (1688–1697), a grueling conflict pitting King Louis XIV's France against the Grand Alliance of England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire. At just 3.7 cm in diameter and weighing 18.65 grams, the medal captures a moment of European diplomatic triumph, symbolizing relief from years of devastation and the fragile balance of power in the late Baroque era. Hautsch's mastery shines in the "striking" technique—a precise metalworking process where a die is hammered into a blank to imprint intricate designs on both obverse and reverse. This method, popular in 17th-century numismatics, allowed for fine details like portraits of monarchs, allegorical figures of peace (often Victory or Pax), and inscriptions in Latin or Dutch. Such medals were prized collectibles, blending artistry with propaganda to celebrate rulers and events. Generously donated by Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this piece offers a tangible link to the era's political artistry. It invites visitors to ponder how small objects like this preserved history for posterity, bridging the worlds of diplomacy and craftsmanship.