Overlijden van Maria II van Engeland

About this artwork

Zilveren penning. Voorzijde: borststuk vrouw met kroon binnen omschrift. Keerzijde: Wijsheid, Godvruchtheid en Standvastigheid staande voor een lijkstatie binnen omschrift; afsnede: opschrift.

Art Historical Context

Crafted in 1695 by Dutch medalist Jan Luder (I), *Overlijden van Maria van Engeland* ("Death of Mary II of England") is a poignant silver medal commemorating the passing of the English queen consort and joint monarch with William III. Mary II died of smallpox in December 1694 at age 32, just five years into her reign during a turbulent era marked by the Glorious Revolution and Protestant ascendancy. This small yet elegant piece, measuring 5.8 cm in diameter and weighing 7946 grams, exemplifies 17th-century European commemorative art, blending portraiture with moral allegory to honor her legacy. The obverse features a crowned bust of the queen within an encircling inscription, capturing her regal poise in finely struck silver. On the reverse, three virtues—Wisdom, Piety, and Steadfastness—stand solemnly before a hearse, framed by another inscription with a dedicatory line below. Struck using metalworking techniques, the medal's crisp relief highlights Luder's skill in low-relief engraving, allowing intricate details to shine under light—a hallmark of baroque numismatics. As a cultural artifact, it reflects the era's fascination with emblematic memorials, transforming personal tragedy into public virtue. Visitors will appreciate how such medals served as portable tributes, bridging art, history, and devotion in an age of political upheaval.