Overlijden van Frederik Willem, hertog van Brunswijk, gevallen in de slag bij Quatre-Bras 1815

This medal, made by C. Haseler, commemorates the death of Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick. The neoclassical portrait and Latin inscription signal how this German ruler wanted to be seen. The image of a grieving woman, along with the armorial shield, crossed swords, and military helmet, speak to the cultural associations of sacrifice and mourning in early 19th century Europe. Produced in 1815, this small medal, circulated as a souvenir of the Duke’s death, tells us a great deal about the politics of imagery. Brunswick was killed at the Battle of Quatre Bras, two days before Waterloo. His death at the hands of Napoleon’s troops ensured his place as a hero in the emerging German national mythology. It’s important to remember that this heroic image was carefully cultivated and promoted. The historian’s role is to analyze the social and institutional context that gives such an artwork its meaning. By consulting period newspapers, personal correspondence, and other archival documents, we can better understand the political function of images in the 19th century.