Tekenacademie van 's-Hertogenbosch, eerste prijs der antieken, uitgereikt aan P.A. de Bergh 1827

This silver medal, awarded to P.A. de Bergh by G.F. Sartorius Jr., presents a formal composition divided into two distinct sides, each with its own structure and symbolism. The medal's circular form—unifying in its shape, yet contrasting in its content. One side features a classical figure seated regally, extending a crown, a clear nod to idealized forms of antiquity and perhaps an allegory for artistic achievement. The incised inscription around the perimeter reinforces this notion, serving as a frame that both contains and directs the gaze inward. Conversely, the other side presents a wreath encircling a blank space, a tableau inscribed with text and a date. This juxtaposition invites a semiotic reading, where classical imagery contrasts with textual specificity. The wreath, a symbol of honor, frames personal recognition, creating a dialogue between universal ideals and individual accomplishment. The very structure of this medal, therefore, is not just decorative but conceptually rigorous—challenging the viewer to consider how the personal and the universal intersect within art.