Prijspenning van het Schuttersgezelschap te Amsterdam by Theodorus Victor van Berckel

Prijspenning van het Schuttersgezelschap te Amsterdam 1771

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print, metal, relief, engraving

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portrait

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medieval

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allegory

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print

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metal

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relief

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history-painting

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engraving

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

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.

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