Tweehonderdvijfentwintigjarig bestaan van de Leidsche Hoogeschool 1825 1825

This bronze medal was created in 1825 by David van der Kellen, celebrating the 225th anniversary of Leiden University. In the 19th century, commemorative medals served as powerful symbols of institutional pride and national identity. On one side, we see Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, holding an owl – a symbol of knowledge. Minerva embodies the values and aspirations of the university, while also subtly reinforcing classical ideals of education and governance. Consider the cultural context: the Netherlands, having emerged from Napoleonic rule, was in a period of rebuilding its national identity. Institutions like Leiden University played a crucial role in shaping intellectual and cultural life. How does this imagery, rooted in classical antiquity, speak to the era's ambitions? How might this blend of classical symbolism and national pride reflect the complex relationship between tradition and progress? This medal embodies not just an anniversary, but the weight of history and aspiration.