Iohan Nicolai Madvig professor in de filosofie te Kopenhagen 1879 1879

This bronze medal was created in 1879 by H. Conradsen, to honor Iohan Nicolai Madvig, a professor of philosophy in Copenhagen. The medal is a fascinating artifact that encapsulates the values and ideals of its time. On one side, we see a profile of Madvig, a symbol of intellectual authority and masculine achievement. The reverse side features an inscription surrounded by a laurel wreath, evoking classical ideals of wisdom and virtue. These symbols speak to the cultural context in which education and philosophy were highly valued, and academic figures were celebrated as pillars of society. Consider the weight of this small object, which signifies not only physical substance but also the weight of history, memory, and cultural significance. What emotions does it evoke, knowing it was created to immortalize a figure of authority and intellect? The medal is not merely a portrait; it’s a statement about the values a society chooses to commemorate.