Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This anonymous engraving is a commemorative medal dedicated to the House of Orange-Nassau. Made in 1702, it was a time of shifting political power and national identity in the Netherlands. The medal is a complex layering of symbols, names and dates connected to the lineage of the Princes. The central image depicts a figure being received into divinity, surrounded by angels, which reflects the political and social ideals of leadership and legacy. Consider how power is inherited, how identities are shaped by lineage, and how symbols are used to construct narratives of national identity. The names of the Princes and the dates associated with them are inscribed on the medal, creating a timeline of power and influence. The medal raises questions about whose stories are told and remembered in the construction of collective memory. Ultimately, this medal is not just a historical artifact; it is a reflection on power, identity, and the ways in which we remember the past.
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