Prijspenning van de Koninglijke Vereeniging Flora te Brussel 1822 1822

This silver prize medal was made in 1822 by Joseph-Pierre Braemt, a medalist working in Brussels. On the front is a representation of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime. Note the material itself: silver. It is both a precious metal and a highly malleable one, ideal for capturing fine details. The process of die-striking would have involved skilled labor, as the die had to be carefully engraved to produce the desired image. The very act of stamping the metal imparted a sense of value and authority to the object. Consider the social context: this prize medal connects artistic practices and the values of the Royal Flora Society. It raises questions about the relationship between artistic creation and the celebration of nature, as well as how organizations such as this contributed to the development of artistic styles. Looking closely at the making and materials of such an object encourages us to challenge the traditional distinctions between craft, design, and fine art.