Belgische gevallenen 1830 1830

Adrien Hippolyte Veyrat created this bronze medal to commemorate the Belgian Revolution of 1830. Minting a medal is a relatively straightforward process. The design is engraved in steel dies, which are then used to strike the medal, impressing the image onto a metal blank. The choice of bronze as the material, however, has a longer history. It is one of humanity's oldest alloys and has long been associated with commemoration, hence its connection to the subject of this work, Belgian casualties. The medal uses the innate qualities of bronze, its weightiness, and its ability to take a detailed impression. The medal's design contributes to its social significance. The pyramid, the broken chain, the laurel wreath, and the inscription “To our brothers dead for freedom,” are all symbolic. By considering its materiality and processes, we can better understand the complex relationship between making, meaning, and the social context of this artwork.