Op het innemen van Hasselt en Leuven door de kroonprins der Nederlanden 1831

This is Johannes Petrus Schouberg's medal commemorating the capture of Hasselt and Leuven by the Crown Prince of the Netherlands. The medal serves as a fascinating artifact reflecting the complex interplay of power, identity, and national pride in 19th-century Europe. On one side, we see a portrait of Willem, Crown Prince of the Netherlands. Flip it over, and you'll find an allegorical figure seated beside a lion, symbols of strength and justice, celebrating military victory. What's particularly striking is the way this medal tries to solidify a sense of national identity amidst political upheaval. It's a potent reminder of how medals like these were used to shape public opinion and reinforce the authority of the ruling class. It invites us to reflect on the emotional weight attached to symbols of victory. What does it mean to commemorate military conquest, and who gets to define the narrative of triumph?