Afdeling Burgerbouwkundige Constructie van de Tekenschool van de Koninklijke Akademie van Beeldende Kunsten, penning uitgereikt aan R. Kroon 1846

This medal, created in 1846 by David van der Kellen, commemorates achievement in civil engineering drawing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Consider the social context: the 19th century saw massive urbanization and infrastructure development across Europe. This medal signifies the era's emphasis on technical skill and the rising importance of civil engineering as a profession. The medal presents a seated female figure, a classical symbol of knowledge, offering a laurel wreath, a timeless symbol of honor. Yet, we can observe how such symbols often obscure the realities of labor and gender within these burgeoning industries. It prompts us to think about the role of women in technical fields during this time, often unacknowledged or actively excluded from formal recognition. The medal is a historical artifact that makes us think about the narrative of progress and the complex identities and labor practices that underpin it.