Vijfentwintigste landhuiskundig congres te Groningen 1871

This is David van der Kellen’s medal commemorating the "Vijfentwintigste landhuiskundig congres te Groningen," or the Twenty-Fifth Agricultural Congress in Groningen. Though undated, its imagery gives insight into 19th-century Dutch society. On one side, a classical female figure holds a sickle and a bundle of wheat, embodying agriculture and abundance. The choice of a female figure is no accident; it reflects the historical association of women with the land and its fertility. Yet, it also obscures the labor and contributions of male farmers and laborers in the fields. While agriculture was the lifeblood of the Dutch economy, it was also a source of significant social stratification. Land ownership and agricultural practices were deeply entwined with class distinctions and power dynamics. The reverse side features a wreath and crest, symbols of honor and tradition, further reinforcing the societal values of the time. This medal prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out. It serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between land, labor, and identity in the Netherlands.