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ABEELE, Pieter van - b. 1608 Middelburg, d. 1684 Amsterdam - WGA

ABEELE, Pieter van

(b. 1608 Middelburg, d. 1684 Amsterdam)

Dutch medallist, one of the best engravers of the Dutch school of the seventeenth century. It is thought that he was also a painter. He lived principally in Amsterdam where he was a pupil of Juriaen Pool (died 1669). His works date from 1622-1677.

Abeele perfected the technique of pressing hollow medals. He created the two sides of the medal separately and combined them with a ring of metal. His works are said to be the best of their time, and consist mostly of memorial and portrait medals. They depict several members of the House of Orange, Admiral Maarten Tromp, Jan Wolfert van Brederode, Charles X of Sweden and Charles II of England.

Abeele also made commemorative medals for the destruction of the English fleet and the peace of 1667, as well as one showing the granting of the coat of arms to the city of Amsterdam by Count William II of Holland and Emperor Maximilian I.

Commemorative Medal for Admiral Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp
Commemorative Medal for Admiral Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp by

Commemorative Medal for Admiral Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp

Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp (1598-1653) was an officer and later admiral in the Dutch navy. The commemorative medal was made in two clich�s, mounted in a silver ring, with the double snake mark of Van Abeele.

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Medal commemorating Charles II embarkation at Scheveningen
Medal commemorating Charles II embarkation at Scheveningen by

Medal commemorating Charles II embarkation at Scheveningen

The obverse shows the cuirassed bust of Charles II nearly full face with long hair falling over shoulders and wearing the George of the Order of the Garter.

The reverse shows fleet under sail, Fame flying above blowing her trumpet and carrying a riband inscribed SOLI DEO GLORIA.

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William III, Prince of Orange, at the Age of Four
William III, Prince of Orange, at the Age of Four by

William III, Prince of Orange, at the Age of Four

William III, Prince of Orange (1650-1702, was stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands as William III (1672-1702) and king of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1689-1702), reigning jointly with Queen Mary II (until her death in 1694). He directed the European opposition to Louis XIV of France and, in Great Britain, secured the triumph of Protestantism and of Parliament.

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