Overlijden van Maria II van Engeland

About this artwork

diameter 5 cm x gewicht 58,15 gr

Art Historical Context

Behold the poignant *Overlijden van Maria II Engeland* (Death of Mary II of England a finely crafted commemorative medal struck by Dutch metalworker Jacob van Dishoecke 1695. Measuring just 5 cm in diameter and weighing 58.15 grams, this small yet substantial piece captures a moment of royal mourning. Dishoecke, active in the late 17-century Netherlands, specialized in such medals, blending portraiture with symbolic imagery to honor the recently deceased queen. Mary II, who co-ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland alongside her husband William III after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, passed away in December 1694 at age 32 from smallpox. This medal, produced mere months later, reflects the era's tradition of using portable metalwork to commemorate pivotal figures and events, disseminating grief and legacy across Europe. In the Baroque age, such objects served as both personal talismans and public statements of loyalty. Crafted via the striking technique—where a die is hammered into softened metal—this medal exemplifies precision metalworking. The relief likely features Mary's effigy or allegorical motifs of death and virtue, showcasing Dishoecke's skill in fine detail on a durable medium like silver. A testament to Dutch artisanal excellence, it invites us to reflect on the fragility of power and the enduring art of remembrance.