Tweehonderdjarige herdenking van het Ontzet van Leiden 1774 1774

This is a lead medal made in 1774 by Theodorus Victor van Berckel. Its circular form, a deliberate choice, echoes the cyclical nature of remembrance. On one side, a female figure, possibly an allegory for Leiden, sits triumphantly atop a lion, symbols of victory and strength. The composition uses these symbols to evoke a sense of civic pride and gratitude. On the other side, another female figure stands before an altar, perhaps representing faith or remembrance, with outstretched arms that invite reflection. The medal’s creation aligns with Enlightenment ideals, which emphasized reason and civic virtue. Medals like these functioned as semiotic tools, communicating specific political and moral values. This piece encourages not just historical recall, but also the active engagement with Leiden’s civic identity.