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Preview image of work. silver,  Johann (1625–1672) and Cornelius (1623–1672) De Witt 6673
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1966.131.62.a

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Johann (1625–1672) and Cornelius (1623–1672) De Witt

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Artist

Artist Unidentified (Netherlandish)

Title

Johann (1625–1672) and Cornelius (1623–1672) De Witt

Creation Date

1672

Century

mid-17th century

Dimensions

1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.)

Classification

Medals/Plaquettes

Creation Place

Europe, Netherlands

Medium and Support

silver

Credit Line

Gift of Amanda Marchesa Molinari

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1966.131.62.a

Scapegoated in the wake of a crushing military defeat by the French, Johann and Cornelius de Witt are commemorated in this medal. The brothers met a violent death at the hands of a mob due to their perceived disloyalty to Prince William III. The obverse depicts a jugate (or side-by-side) profile of the brothers, while the reverse incorporates a Dutch inscription that describes the brothers’ close relationship and alludes to the turmoil leading to their deaths. The last sentence roughly translates to, “They stand together in life and after life, their stubbornness keeps them together.”

Object Description

323 JOHANN (1625-72) and CORNELIUS (1623-72) DE WITT 1672

Obv. Busts jugate to right. Around, ILLVSTRISSIMI . FRATRES . lOHAN : ET . CORNEL : DE . WIT .
Rev. Garlands above and below inscription. Twee Witten, eensgezint, | Gevloeckt, gehaet, gemint, | Ten fpiegel van de Grooten | Verheven en verftooten, | In alles Lotgemeen, | Staen naer him doot bijeen | Gelijck zij hier nae't leven | Zoo konftig zijn gedreven; on rim, * VIOLENTA MORTE DELETI . HAGAE . COMITIS . 20 AVG : A'O . 1672 .
Silver, struck, 48 mm.

See no. 253 (Pierre Aury).

Bibl.: Van Loon 3, p. 81 (ill.); p. 83, no. 3.