Genootschap "Studium Scientiarium genitrix" te Rotterdam 1780

This bronze medal, with a diameter of 5.5 cm, was crafted by Johann Heinrich Schepp, who lived from 1736 to 1811. It reflects the values of the late 18th-century Dutch Republic, a time when scientific societies flourished as expressions of civic engagement. These societies provided spaces for intellectual exchange, but they also served a social function, reinforcing the status of the educated middle class. Here, the allegorical figures embody "Studium Scientiarium Genitrix," meaning "Study, Mother of Sciences." The medal is a visual statement about the social role of knowledge. The iconography draws on classical imagery, with the figures reminiscent of Roman goddesses. The reverse of the medal features a draped cartouche framed by laurel wreaths, suggesting the honor and recognition conferred upon members of the society. To fully appreciate this medal, one might delve into the archives of the "Studium Scientiarium" to understand its membership, activities, and the broader cultural context in which it operated. Art like this reminds us that its meanings are always shaped by social and institutional forces.