Vrede van Baden

About this artwork

Gift of J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

### Vrede van Baden Crafted in 1714 by German medalist Georg Wilhelm Vestner *Vrede van Baden*Peace of Baden) is finely struck metal medallion commemorating a pivotal diplomatic triumph at the close of the War of the Succession. Measuring just 4.4 cm in diameter and 44.17 grams, this petite yet weighty piece captures the era's Baroque fascination with glorifying peace treaties through portable art. The title refers to the Treaty of Baden, signed on September 7, 1714, in Baden bei Wien between Habsburg Emperor Charles VI and King Louis XIV of France, easing tensions after over a decade of European conflict. Vestner's mastery of "striking"—a metalworking technique involving hammered dies to imprint intricate designs on metal—highlights the technical precision of 18th-century numismatics. Medals like this served as propaganda tools, personal talismans, and collectibles, blending artistry with historical record-keeping. Often exchanged among elites, they symbolized resolution and imperial prestige. Generously donated by J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this artifact invites us to ponder how small objects encapsulated grand narratives of war and reconciliation, bridging art and diplomacy in the early Enlightenment.

About the Artist

Georg Wilhelm Vestner · 1677–1740

German, Schweinfurth 1677–1740 Nuremberg