Afdeling Zaandam van de Hollandsche Maatschappij van Landbouw, penning als eerste prijs uitgereikt aan P.H. van Gelder voor zijn verbena's 1859

Editor: Here we have a prize medal from 1859. It's titled "Afdeling Zaandam van de Hollandsche Maatschappij van Landbouw, penning als eerste prijs uitgereikt aan P.H. van Gelder voor zijn verbena's," and it appears to be made of metal. It’s quite small, and I immediately notice all of these agrarian symbols. What strikes you about this medal? Curator: For me, this medal acts as a potent reminder of the complex relationship between land, labor, and recognition in 19th-century Netherlands. Awarded for cultivating verbena's, seemingly simple flowers, it speaks volumes about societal values. What narratives are being told here about class, ownership, and access to land through the act of awarding such a medal? Editor: That’s interesting! I wouldn’t have considered those layers. Curator: The Hollandsche Maatschappij van Landbouw would likely promote the benefits of agricultural advancements. I would wager, though, that the economic successes often sidelined and perhaps exploited rural workers. A prize like this probably acted as a justification for imbalanced wealth distribution by showcasing supposed 'merit'. What might the emphasis on neoclassical style mean in relation to these power dynamics? Editor: It makes it feel…more official and grand. As if it carries a deep, historical weight of prestige. Curator: Exactly. By couching a symbol of contemporary agricultural practice inside an aesthetic that references older civilizations it provides an imagined history legitimizing the values of the organization. And, whose stories are explicitly NOT celebrated in this history? Editor: Well, that would definitely make me think more critically about decorative arts moving forward. Curator: Absolutely, objects such as this appear neutral but are actively supporting social systems.