Verdediging van de citadel van Antwerpen Possibly 1832 - 1833

This silver medal, made by Gottfried Bernhard Loos, commemorates the defense of the Antwerp citadel. Though undated, the Latin inscription tells us it refers to December 1832, when the Dutch, under David Hendrik Chassé, withstood a siege by French forces during the Belgian Revolution. The medal's imagery and inscription create meaning through coded references. On one side, we see a star-shaped fortress, representing the citadel itself. The reverse features a laurel wreath, a classical symbol of victory, surrounding the inscription praising "Batavian virtue" – a romanticized term for Dutch courage. This medal served as a piece of propaganda, valorizing Dutch resistance against what they framed as unjust aggression. To understand this medal fully, we need to delve into the complex political landscape of 19th-century Europe. Researching the Belgian Revolution, the role of the Dutch monarchy, and the rise of nationalism would provide valuable context. This medal reminds us that art objects, even seemingly simple ones, are embedded in social and institutional histories.