Verovering van Belgrado

About this artwork

diameter 4,4 cm x gewicht 28,81 gr

Art Historical Context

**Verovering van BelgradoConquest of Belgrade)** Created in 1717 by Georg Wilhelm Vestner, this exquisite struck medal commemorates a pivotal moment in European military history: the Austrian victory over the Ottoman forces at Belgrade. Measuring just 4.4 cm in diameter and weighing 28.81 grams, its compact form belies its grand subject, making it a portable token of triumph likely carried by soldiers or admirers. The medal captures the climactic Battle of Belgrade during the Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718), where Prince Eugene of Savoy's forces decisively defeated the Ottomans on August 16, 1717, after a grueling siege. Struck medals like this one were popular in the Baroque era as propaganda tools, celebrating imperial glory and spreading news of victories across Europe. Vestner's craftsmanship in metalworking—using a die to imprint intricate designs on a metal blank—highlights the technical precision of 18th-century numismatics, often in silver or gold alloys for durability and prestige. As a historical artifact, it reflects the era's fascination with heroism and empire-building, bridging art and politics. Visitors can appreciate how such small objects preserved big stories, inviting us to ponder the human drama behind the gleaming surface.

About the Artist

Georg Wilhelm Vestner · 1677–1740

German, Schweinfurth 1677–1740 Nuremberg