Vrede van Fontainebleau tussen de keizer en de Republiek der Verenigde Nederlanden, tot stand gekomen via Franse bemiddeling 1785

This silver medal, commemorating the Peace of Fontainebleau, was created by Joseph Jansz. Everts, who died in 1807. It captures a pivotal moment in the Napoleonic era. Consider how the medal frames the Netherlands' relationship with France and the broader European powers. The imagery—a lion, symbolic of Dutch strength, juxtaposed with symbols of peace and liberation—reflects a complex negotiation of national identity and sovereignty under French influence. Who gets to claim victory? Is it really peace? Reflect on the experience of those living through this period. How did such treaties shape daily life, national pride, and future aspirations? The medal serves not just as a historical marker but as a lens through which to consider the lived realities of political agreements and the stories they attempt to tell.