Oprichting van een standbeeld ter ere van Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter te Vlissingen, vervaardigd door Royer 1841

This is a silver medal depicting the erection of a statue in honor of Michiel Adriaansz de Ruyter in Vlissingen. The medal is of unknown authorship. The medal presents two distinct yet connected visual fields. On one side, the structured portrait of de Ruyter is framed by the circular inscription. The statue's form, with its inherent stillness, is emphasized. Note how this contrasts with the reverse side where we see the inscription "RVYTERI MANIBVS PIA POSTERITAS" surrounded by a wreath. These design choices invite us to consider the play between representation and abstraction; while the portrait seeks to capture the essence of an individual, the text and wreath act more as symbolic gestures toward remembrance. The medal’s circular form underscores a continuous cycle of commemoration. In these formal relationships, we can see how the medal works as a cultural object, using its visual language to not only depict but also actively shape historical memory.