Beloningspenning voor gezondheidsbevordering 1849 1849

David van der Kellen created this bronze reward medal for health promotion in the Netherlands in 1849. The medal presents two faces: the profile of King William II, and a laudatory inscription surrounded by a wreath. In the mid-19th century, the Netherlands faced significant public health challenges. Rapid urbanization and industrialization led to poor sanitation and the spread of infectious diseases. The state became more involved in sanitation and education, and this medal played a part in that. Such commemorative objects were important tools in shaping public perception and promoting desired behaviors. They were a way of visualizing institutional power and communicating the importance of public health initiatives. To fully understand the medal's significance, one can consult archival records, public health reports, and period newspapers. Understanding its historical context reveals the medal not just as a token of appreciation, but as a symbol of a society grappling with the health consequences of modernization.