Penning ter gelegenheid van de onthulling van het standbeeld van Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter 1841 - 1843

This print by Jan Dam Steuerwald commemorates the unveiling of a statue of Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter. De Ruyter was a famous Dutch admiral, celebrated for his naval victories in the 17th century. The print provides insight into how national heroes are constructed and celebrated. The top section depicts de Ruyter's statue itself, immortalizing him in a heroic pose. Below is a coat of arms, reinforcing the admiral's significance to Dutch identity and national pride. Consider the implications of memorializing military figures. How do these acts of commemoration shape our understanding of history, and what values do they promote? This print serves as a reminder of how public monuments and commemorative objects contribute to the creation and reinforcement of collective memory, inviting us to reflect on the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.