Koninklijke Academie van Wetenschappen en Letteren te Brussel 1816

This silver medal was made by Joseph-Pierre Braemt, likely in the early 19th century. Its purpose? To commemorate the Royal Academy of Sciences and Letters in Brussels. Look closely, and you'll see how the die-striking process has given the metal its form. A design is engraved in reverse onto a steel die, which is then pressed with tremendous force into a metal blank. The resulting impression is crisp, precise, and repeatable. This technique, like printing, allowed for efficient reproduction. Medals such as these were created in multiples, conferring honor and prestige upon its recipients. The very materiality of the medal speaks to power, status, and the industrial processes needed to produce it. A far cry from unique artworks made by a single hand, this object serves as a reminder that even ostensibly honorific items are deeply embedded in social and economic systems. It blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and industry.