Jozef Klemens

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk man binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: vier stormgoden blazen tegen rots die in woelige zee staat binnen omschrift

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite silver medal *Jozef Klemens* (1694), crafted by the skilled medallist David Joachim Schel Measuring just 6.3 cm in diameter and weighing 88.66 grams, this struck silver piece exemplifies the fine metalworking traditions of late 17th-century Europe, particularly in the Netherlands or German-speaking regions where Schel worked. Medals like this were prized as portable art, commemorating notable figures through intricate engraving and striking techniques that captured fine details in miniature. The obverse features a detailed bust of a man—likely Jozef Klemens, a prominent ecclesiastical and political figure of the era—framed by an inscription. It portrays him with dignified realism, a hallmark of Baroque portraiture emphasizing status and character. On the reverse, four dynamic storm gods furiously blow winds against a steadfast rock rising from a churning sea, also encircled by text. This vivid allegory symbolizes resilience amid turmoil, evoking biblical or classical motifs of unyielding faith or fortitude—perhaps alluding to Klemens's role amid the religious and political storms of the Nine Years' War. Schel's mastery shines in the medal's high relief and fluid lines, blending technical precision with symbolic depth. As a cultural artifact, it reflects the era's fascination with emblematic imagery, bridging art, history, and devotion for collectors and patrons alike.