Algemene Tentoonstelling van Schone Kunsten te Brussel, ter ere van Leopold I, koning der Belgen 1840

This silver medal, created by Joseph-Pierre Braemt, commemorates the General Exhibition of Fine Arts in Brussels in honor of Leopold I, King of the Belgians. Notice how the composition divides the medal into distinct visual fields. On one side, we have a profile portrait of Leopold I, rendered with a classical realism that emphasizes line and contour. The other side features an inscription encircled by a laurel wreath, creating a formal symmetry. The incised lettering and detailed relief of Leopold’s features showcase Braemt’s meticulous technique. The medal operates within a semiotic system of signs. The portrait is a signifier of royal authority, while the laurel wreath signifies honor and achievement. Together, they speak to the values of monarchy, artistic excellence, and national pride. Ultimately, the medal serves as a material symbol, embodying cultural and political ideals through its form, design, and materiality, inviting us to reflect on the interplay between art, power, and representation.