Franse steun tijdens de Tiendaagse veldtocht en bij de verovering van de citadel van Antwerpen 1832

Editor: We’re looking at a bronze medal from 1832. The inscription reads, “Franse steun tijdens de Tiendaagse veldtocht en bij de verovering van de citadel van Antwerpen”—French support during the Ten Days Campaign and the capture of the Antwerp citadel. The medal feels like a quiet commemoration, but also maybe something more assertive, given the subject matter. What kind of statement do you think this medal is making? Curator: This medal speaks volumes about power dynamics and national narratives in 19th-century Europe. It’s not just a quiet commemoration; it’s an active assertion of French involvement and, arguably, dominance, in Belgian affairs. Remember that Belgium had only recently declared independence from the Netherlands in 1830. Editor: So, the French are positioning themselves as heroes? Curator: Precisely. It’s a very specific story that omits Belgian agency. Note how the inscription highlights the "French army" coming to the "aid of the Belgians." Consider the implications of that choice of words. Who is telling this story, and for what purpose? What is left out of this narrative? What was the role of Belgian revolutionary forces? It's a case study in how history gets molded into nationalistic mythology. The medal almost becomes a form of propaganda, inscribing a very specific and self-serving version of events into material culture. Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't thought about it as active propaganda. I suppose I saw it more as a historical record, but you’re right—it’s a curated record with a very clear point of view. Curator: Exactly. Even something as seemingly neutral as a commemorative medal can be a powerful tool for shaping historical consciousness and solidifying political power. Now, think about contemporary medals and monuments: whose stories are they telling, and whose are they silencing? Editor: It makes you wonder about whose narratives are being pushed in similar ways today through different media. Thanks, I have something to chew on now!