Vrede van de Pyreneen

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff

Art Historical Context

**Vrede van de Pen (Peace of the Pyrene)** *Jean Warin (II), 1660* *Struck metal (medal), diameter 5.3 cm, 62.91 g* Behold this exquisite struck medal by Jean Warin (II a master medallist and engraver at the Paris Mint during the reign of Louis XIV. Crafted just a year after the historic Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, itates the peace accord that ended decades of Franco-Spanish. Warin's precise striking technique—hammering a die into soft metal to create raised reliefs—captures intricate details in a compact 5.3 cm diameter, showcasing the Baroque-era finesse of French medal art, where portraiture and allegory blended to glorify royal achievements. The Peace of the Pyrenees marked a turning point for Europe, brokered by Cardinal Mazarin between Louis XIV and Philip IV of Spain. Signed amid the Pyrenees mountains, it redrew borders, ceded territories like Roussillon to France, and sealed the marriage of Louis XIV to the Spanish infanta Maria Theresa—strengthening France's ascendancy. Such medals were prized diplomatic gifts and collectibles, embodying cultural prestige through their durable silver or gold alloys. Generously donated by Mrs. J.M. van Gelder-Nijhoff, this piece invites us to ponder how tiny metalworks preserved grand narratives, bridging art and history for generations of admirers.