Maatschappij der Nederlandsche letterkunde 1766

Editor: This metal medal, entitled "Maatschappij der Nederlandsche letterkunde," created by Barend Christiaan van Calker in 1766, possesses a certain austere beauty characteristic of neoclassicism. Its crisp details and somber tone makes me wonder... What stories do you think this object could tell us? Curator: Well, look at the imagery! We see a robed woman, classical style, holding a laurel wreath – the classic symbol of victory or achievement– over a lion! A loyal companion, wouldn't you say? Now, pair that with the book beside her, propped against a plinth emblazoned with the Dutch coat-of-arms and a bee hive – symbols of industry. What are your first impressions? Editor: Hmm...loyalty, combined with scholarly pursuits, and national pride. It seems…noble? Curator: Precisely! This was commissioned by the Society of Dutch Literature at Leiden. Literature, loyalty, national identity… It all circles back. Imagine those conversations back in 1766...the shared stories! The medal embodies not just their literary focus, but their civic values too. Makes you wish you could eavesdrop, eh? Editor: Definitely! It really does reveal a specific time and place… kind of like a historical snapshot, in metal. Curator: Indeed! Objects whisper secrets; we simply must lean in close enough to hear them, just as the artists intended. So much hidden meaning… Editor: This makes me appreciate medals so much more, thank you. They truly encapsulate stories worth a deeper inspection!