Erection of a statue for Michiel de Ruyter 1841

This silver medal, created by David van der Kellen in 1841, commemorates the erection of a statue for Michiel de Ruyter, a Dutch admiral renowned for his victories against the English and French navies in the 17th century. The medal depicts de Ruyter standing on a pedestal with steps, holding a sword and a baton, a symbol of his military prowess. The inscription on the base of the statue reads "Michaeli, Cordiano et, Aeterno, Ruytero, Anno MDCLXXXI". This translates to "To Michael, Brave and Eternal Ruyter, In the year 1681". The medal is a powerful symbol of de Ruyter's legacy as a national hero in the Netherlands. This piece of art is a fine example of commemorative medallic art, a genre that gained popularity in the 19th century.