1966.131.62.a
Johann (1625–1672) and Cornelius (1623–1672) De Witt
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.