Zeeslag bij Kaap La Hogue, de Fransen verslagen door de vloot van Engeland en Holland

About this artwork

Bronzen penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man met lauwerkrans en vrouw binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: gewapende krijger met in zijn hand drietand, bekroond met lauwerkrans, leunend op wapenschild met twee ineen geslagen handen; voor hem leeuw en eenhoorn; op achtergrond zeeslag binnen tweeregelig omschrift.

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of 17th-century triumphs with *Zeeslag bij Kaap Hogue, de Fr verslagen door de vloot Engeland en Holland*Battle of Cape La Hogue the French Defeated by Fleets of England and), a finely struck bronze medal crafted by Dutch artist Reynier Arondeaux in1692. Measuring just 4.8 cm in diameter and weighing .66 grams, this intimate metalwork captures a pivotal moment through intricate reliefs. The obverse features a bust of a laurel-crowned man alongside a woman, framed by an inscription, while the reverse depicts an armed warrior grasping a trident—symbolizing Neptune's dominion over the seas—leaning on a shield emblazoned with clasped hands, evoking Anglo-Dutch alliance. Before him stand a lion and unicorn, heraldic emblems of the Netherlands, England, and Scotland, with a chaotic sea battle raging in the background. This medal commemorates the decisive 1692 Battle of La Hogue during the Nine Years' War, where the allied English and Dutch fleets under William III shattered French naval ambitions, thwarting Jacobite invasion plans and securing Protestant rule in England. Such struck medals were prized propaganda tools in the Baroque era, blending artistry with politics to rally public pride and preserve memory in portable form. Arondeaux's mastery of metal striking shines in the high-relief details and symbolic depth, from the warrior's poised strength to the dynamic battle scene, making this a cultural artifact of alliance, victory, and enduring rivalry on the high seas. A true gem for history enthusiasts!