Prijspenning van het Schuttersgezelschap te Amsterdam 1771

This is Theodorus Victor van Berckel’s prize medal of the Amsterdam Civic Guard. The medal presents an interplay of depth and dimension on a limited surface. On one side, we see an allegorical scene of a woman placing a laurel wreath on a man’s head. Look at how the figures are arranged within the circular frame. The composition is balanced, creating a sense of equilibrium and order. On the reverse is an eagle perched above a diamond target. The eagle, a symbol of power, contrasts with the target, which suggests vulnerability. This juxtaposition complicates the meaning of the medal. Is it a celebration of strength, or a commentary on the fragility of power? The medal's form—a circle—is itself significant. In its endlessness, the circle symbolizes continuity. The medal reminds us that art operates within a complex system of signs and symbols, inviting continuous interpretation and dialogue.