Bevordering van de Gezondheidszorg, ter ere van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden Possibly 1849

This silver medal was crafted by David van der Kellen, honoring Willem III, King of the Netherlands. Though undated, it exists within a 19th-century context, a time when the concept of nationhood and public health were intensely debated. The medal presents a profile of King Willem III, a figurehead of Dutch identity. The inscription references the promotion of health care, revealing a society grappling with urbanization, industrialization, and their impact on public well-being. The focus on health mirrors a broader societal concern with the welfare of its citizens, linking physical health to national strength. However, one must ask: whose health was being promoted and who had access to it? The medal, in its homage to the King, underscores the power dynamics inherent in discussions of health, and reminds us that such seemingly universal concepts are often experienced differently across lines of class and privilege. Reflect on the emotional weight of such an object – a symbol of care, yet also a reminder of disparities.