Ausstellung Vaterlandischer Gewerbserzeugnisse, ter ere van Frederik Willem III, koning van Pruisen 1823

This dark metal medal was crafted by Henri François Brandt to honor Frederick William III, King of Prussia. The medal embodies Prussia’s national pride and industrious ambition in the early 19th century. Awarded at the Exhibition of National Industrial Products, it served as both recognition and propaganda. It's a celebration of Prussian manufacturing and economic prowess, with the wreath referencing the labor involved in the industrial processes. But what stories and human experiences are not explicitly depicted here? Who made these national industrial products, and under what conditions? The medal reminds us to consider the complexities of nationalism and the lives of workers who are often rendered invisible. Reflecting on this medal, consider the relationship between power, labor, and representation. This medal invites us to reflect on the values that societies choose to commemorate.